Using Journal Impact Factors to Correct for the Publication Bias of Medical Studies

作者：Rose Baker, Dan Jackson · 发表于：Biometrics · 年份：2006 · DOI：10.1111/j.1541-0420.2005.00513.x · 被引用次数：26 · 研究领域：Meta-analysis and systematic reviews、Health Systems, Economic Evaluations, Quality of Life、Statistical Methods in Clinical Trials

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.