Using journal impact factors to correct for the publication bias of medical studies

Baker, RD; Jackson, D

Abstract

Publication bias of the results of medical studies can invalidate evidence-based medicine. The existing methodology for modeling this essentially relies upon the symmetry of the funnel plot. We present a new method of modeling publication bias that uses this information plus the impact factors of the publishing journals. A simple model of the publication process enables the estimation of bias-corrected intervention effects. The procedure is illustrated using a meta-analysis of the effectiveness of single-dose oral aspirin for acute pain, and results are also obtained for five other meta-analyses. The method enables the fitting of a wide range of models and is considered more flexible than other ways of compensating for publication bias. The model also provides the basis of a statistical test for the existence of publication bias. Use of the new methodology to supplement existing methods is recommended, in the context of a sensitivity analysis.

Citation

Baker, R., & Jackson, D. (2006). Using journal impact factors to correct for the publication bias of medical studies. Biometrics, 62(3), 785-792. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1541-0420.2005.00513.x

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Sep 1, 2006
• Deposit Date: Aug 21, 2007
• Journal: Biometrics
• Print ISSN: 0006-341X
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 62
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 785-792
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1541-0420.2005.00513.x
• Keywords: Evidence-based medicine; Impact factor; Meta-analysis; Publication bias; Stochastic model