A survey of experts to identify methods to detect problematic studies: Stage 1 of the INSPECT-SR Project.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) inform healthcare decisions. Unfortunately, some published RCTs contain false data, and some appear to have been entirely fabricated. Systematic reviews are performed to identify and synthesise all RCTs which have been conducted on a given topic. This means that any of these 'problematic studies' are likely to be included, but there are no agreed methods for identifying them. The INSPECT-SR project is developing a tool to identify problematic RCTs in systematic reviews of healthcare-related interventions. The tool will guide the user through a series of 'checks' to determine a study's authenticity. The first objective in the development process is to assemble a comprehensive list of checks to consider for inclusion.

Methods

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SUBMITTER: Wilkinson J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10996715 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature