An empirical investigation of the potential impact of selective inclusion of results in systematic reviews of interventions: study protocol.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Systematic reviewers may encounter a multiplicity of outcome data in the reports of randomised controlled trials included in the review (for example, multiple measurement instruments measuring the same outcome, multiple time points, and final and change from baseline values). The primary objectives of this study are to investigate in a cohort of systematic reviews of randomised controlled trials of interventions for rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, depressive disorders and anxiety disorders: (i) how often there is multiplicity of outcome data in trial reports; (ii) the association between selection of trial outcome data included in a meta-analysis and the magnitude and statistical significance of the trial result, and; (iii) the impact of the selection of outcome da

SUBMITTER: Page MJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3626625 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature