BACKGROUND: Although publication bias is a concern when using meta-analysis, techniques for assessing for its potential appear to be underused in nursing. OBJECTIVES: To demonstrate several methods, both graphical and statistical, of assessing for publication bias. METHODS: Four methods are described and demonstrated, ranging from the familiar fail-safe N to the trim-and-fill method, using the same contrived data set. RESULTS: Methods vary in their conclusion about the presence of potential publication bias in the example presented. Some limitations of the methods are noted to assist meta-analysts in determining which to consider using. CONCLUSION: Given that publication bias can affect the validity of meta-analytic studies, researchers are encouraged to use more than one method to assess for bias so that clinicians and decision-makers can have the best possible information available.
BACKGROUND: Although publication bias is a concern when using meta-analysis, techniques for assessing for its potential appear to be underused in nursing. OBJECTIVES: To demonstrate several methods, both graphical and statistical, of assessing for publication bias. METHODS: Four methods are described and demonstrated, ranging from the familiar fail-safe N to the trim-and-fill method, using the same contrived data set. RESULTS: Methods vary in their conclusion about the presence of potential publication bias in the example presented. Some limitations of the methods are noted to assist meta-analysts in determining which to consider using. CONCLUSION: Given that publication bias can affect the validity of meta-analytic studies, researchers are encouraged to use more than one method to assess for bias so that clinicians and decision-makers can have the best possible information available.
Authors: B S Fernandes; J Steiner; M Berk; M L Molendijk; A Gonzalez-Pinto; C W Turck; P Nardin; C-A Gonçalves Journal: Mol Psychiatry Date: 2014-09-30 Impact factor: 15.992
Authors: L A Raynor; James S Pankow; Laura J Rasmussen-Torvik; Weihong Tang; Anna Prizment; David J Couper Journal: Int J Mol Epidemiol Genet Date: 2013-03-18
Authors: B S Fernandes; J Steiner; H-G Bernstein; S Dodd; J A Pasco; O M Dean; P Nardin; C-A Gonçalves; M Berk Journal: Mol Psychiatry Date: 2015-07-14 Impact factor: 15.992
Authors: Ajay Gopalakrishna; Thomas A Longo; Joseph J Fantony; Uma Doshi; Michael R Harrison; Megan Van Noord; Brant A Inman Journal: Urol Oncol Date: 2016-06-04 Impact factor: 3.498