Examining publication bias-a simulation-based evaluation of statistical tests on publication bias.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Publication bias is a form of scientific misconduct. It threatens the validity of research results and the credibility of science. Although several tests on publication bias exist, no in-depth evaluations are available that examine which test performs best for different research settings.

Methods

Four tests on publication bias, Egger's test (FAT), p-uniform, the test of excess significance (TES), as well as the caliper test, were evaluated in a Monte Carlo simulation. Two different types of publication bias and its degree (0%, 50%, 100%) were simulated. The type of publication bias was defined either as file-drawer, meaning the repeated analysis of new datasets, or p-hacking, meaning the inclusion of covariates in order to obtain a significant result

SUBMITTER: Schneck A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5712469 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature