What is publication bias?

What is publication bias?

• A. Bias in how results are reported, leading to overestimation.
• B. Bias in sample recruitment.
• C. Bias in language translation.
• D. Bias in funding source.

Answer: (A)

Publication bias happens when studies with positive or significant results are more likely to be published than those with negative or non-significant results, so the published literature isn’t representative of all the research that was done. This selective publication makes overall estimates of effect - such as in reviews or meta-analyses - appear larger than they truly are. It’s a problem because clinicians rely on published evidence to guide decisions, and biased publication can mislead about how effective or safe an intervention really is. The other options describe different forms of bias (like recruiting participants, translating language, or who funds a study) but they do not capture the bias in what gets published and how results are reported.

Publication bias happens when studies with positive or significant results are more likely to be published than those with negative or non-significant results, so the published literature isn’t representative of all the research that was done. This selective publication makes overall estimates of effect - such as in reviews or meta-analyses - appear larger than they truly are. It’s a problem because clinicians rely on published evidence to guide decisions, and biased publication can mislead about how effective or safe an intervention really is. The other options describe different forms of bias (like recruiting participants, translating language, or who funds a study) but they do not capture the bias in what gets published and how results are reported.