- Framework of problems / Comprehensive
- Poor consideration of publication bias
- Identification and impact of outcome selection bias in meta‐analysis
| Ref ID | 88 |
| First Author | P. Williamson |
| Journal | STATISTICS IN MEDICINE |
| Year Of Publishing | 2005 |
| URL | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15580591/ |
| Keywords |
Cochrane Multiplicity Statistical General medical |
| Problem(s) |
Multiplicity of outcomes and lack of pre-specification for outcome reporting Poor consideration of publication bias |
| Number of systematic reviews included | 9 |
| Summary of Findings | A cohort of 9 included Cochrane reviews that had been previously flagged as being potentially prone to publication bias were re-examined for within-study selective reporting. The pooled estimate (95 per cent CI) for mortality of −0:36 (−0:80; 0:08) suggested an opposite effect of treatment, but results were based on data from only five of the nine trials. Imputation of missing data, under the assumption of selective nonreporting, accounted for some of the asymmetry in the funnel plot. No conclusion changed as a result of this extreme sensitivity analysis, thus the meta-analyses of the primary outcomes appear to be robust to potential within-study selection bias. |
| Did the article find that the problem(s) led to qualitative changes in interpretation of the results? | No |
| Are the methods of the article described in enough detail to replicate the study? | No |