A sensitivity analysis for publication bias in systematic reviews.
There is no simple method of correcting for publication bias in systematic reviews. We suggest a sensitivity analysis in which different patterns of selection bias can be tested against the fit to the funnel plot. Publication bias leads to lower values, and greater uncertainty, in treatment effect estimates. Two examples are discussed. An appendix lists the S-plus code needed for carrying out the analysis.
Copas
J B
JB
Department of Statistics, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK. jbc@stats.warwick.ac.uk
Shi
J Q
JQ
D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis / Q000592:standards; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D017594:Publication Bias; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012106:Research; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects; D006113:United Kingdom
D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution