Do infographics 'spin' the findings of health and medical research?

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To compare the prevalence of 'spin', and specific reporting strategies for spin, between infographics, abstracts and full texts of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) reporting non-significant findings in the field of health and medicine and to assess factors associated with the presence of spin.

Design

Cross-sectional observational study.

Data source

Publications in top quintile health and medical journals from August 2018 to October 2020 (Journal Citation Reports database).

Eligibility criteria

Infographics, abstracts and full texts of RCTs with non-significant results for a primary outcome.

Main outcomes and measures

Presence of spin (any spin and spin in the results and conclusions of infographics, abstracts and full texts).

Exposures

SUBMITTER: Muller R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12013550 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature