Systematic Review of the Empirical Evidence of Study Publication Bias and Outcome Reporting Bias

Abstract

Recent work provides direct empirical evidence for the existence of study publication bias and outcome reporting bias. There is strong evidence of an association between significant results and publication; studies that report positive or significant results are more likely to be published and outcomes that are statistically significant have higher odds of being fully reported. Publications have been found to be inconsistent with their protocols. Researchers need to be aware of the problems of both types of bias and efforts should be concentrated on improving the reporting of trials.

Keywords

Affiliated Institutions

• Tufts University US
• Hospital Clínic de Barcelona ES
• Moorfields Eye Hospital GB
• University of Ioannina GR
• King's College London GB
• Tufts Medical Center US
• National Health and Medical Research Council AU
• University College London GB
• Greenwich Hospital US
• University of Bern CH
• University of Liverpool GB
• University of Oxford GB
• Hospices Civils de Lyon FR
• Cooperative Trials Group for Neuro-Oncology AU
• Canadian Institutes of Health Research CA
• Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine CH

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