Outcome selection bias in meta-analysis

Williamson, PR ORCID: 0000-0001-9802-6636, Gamble, C ORCID: 0000-0002-3021-1955, Altman, DG and Hutton, JL (2005) Outcome selection bias in meta-analysis Statistical Methods in Medical Research, 14 (5). pp. 515-524. ISSN 0962-2802, 1477-0334

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Abstract

Publication bias has been previously identified as a threat to the validity of a meta-analysis. Recently, new evidence has documented an additional threat to validity, the selective reporting of trial outcomes within published studies. Several diseases have several possible measures of outcome. Some articles might report only a selection of those outcomes, perhaps those with statistically significant results. In this article, we review this problem while addressing the questions: what is within-study selective reporting? how common is it? why is it done? how can it mislead? how can it be detected?, and finally, what is the solution? We recommend that both publication bias and selective reporting should be routinely investigated in systematic reviews. © 2005 Edward Arnold (Publishers) Ltd.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	## TULIP Type: Articles/Papers (Journal) ##
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Humans, Reproducibility of Results, Publications, Clinical Trials as Topic, Meta-Analysis as Topic, United Kingdom, Bias, Outcome Assessment, Health Care
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	19 Oct 2023 15:10
Last Modified:	01 Mar 2026 11:48
DOI:	10.1191/0962280205sm415oa
Related Websites:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3174019
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