The mysterious case of the disappearing pilot study: a review of publication bias in preliminary behavioral interventions presented at health behavior conferences.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The number of preliminary studies conducted and published has increased in recent years. However, there are likely many preliminary studies that go unpublished because preliminary studies are typically small and may not be perceived as methodologically rigorous. The extent of publication bias within preliminary studies is unknown but can prove useful to determine whether preliminary studies appearing in peer-reviewed journals are fundamentally different than those that are unpublished. The purpose of this study was to identify characteristics associated with publication in a sample of abstracts of preliminary studies of behavioral interventions presented at conferences.

Methods

Abstract supplements from two primary outlets for behavioral intervention research (Soc

SUBMITTER: von Klinggraeff L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10327298 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature