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Publication bias in clinical research
P J Easterbrook1, J A Berlin, R Gopalan
1Division of Internal Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205.
Lancet (London, England)
|April 13, 1991
Summary
Publication bias is evident in research, with significant findings more likely to be published. This impacts the reliability of published data, especially for observational studies, necessitating better strategies to find all study results.
Area of Science:
- Medical Research Ethics
- Biostatistics
- Research Integrity
Background:
- Publication bias, the tendency to publish positive results over negative ones, can skew scientific understanding.
- Ethical review boards approve numerous research projects, but their publication outcomes are not always transparent.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and extent of publication bias in research projects approved by a central ethics committee.
- To identify factors influencing the publication of research findings.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 487 research projects approved between 1984-1987.
- Examined publication status and associated factors for 285 analyzed studies.
- Used adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) to assess significance.
Main Results:
- 52% of analyzed studies were published.
- Statistically significant results were more than twice as likely to be published (OR 2.32).
- Observational and lab-based studies showed a higher tendency for publication bias (OR 3.79) compared to randomized clinical trials (OR 0.84).
Conclusions:
- Confirmed the presence of publication bias in a cohort of clinical research.
- Findings suggest caution when interpreting conclusions solely from published data, particularly for observational studies.
- Emphasized the need for improved strategies to identify both published and unpublished study results.
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