Search for unpublished data by systematic reviewers: an audit

Ref ID 728
First Author H. Ziai
Journal BMJ OPEN
Year Of Publishing 2017
URL https://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2017-017737
Keywords • Grey literature
• General medical
• Publication bias
Problem(s) • Grey literature excluded
• Poor consideration of publication bias
Number of systematic reviews included 203
Summary of Findings 36% of reviews did not describe an attempt to search for unpublished studies. Of those that did, 40% included unpublished data in analyses. 33% of reviews assessed publication bias and 40% of these reviews revealed evidence of publication bias.
Did the article find that the problem(s) led to qualitative changes in interpretation of the results? N/A
Are the methods of the article described in enough detail to replicate the study? Yes