Manuscript Selection Bias in Medical Research
Author Information
Author(s): Yousefi-Nooraie Reza, Shakiba Behnam, Mortaz-Hejri Soroush
Primary Institution: Tehran University of Medical Sciences
Hypothesis
Is there a difference in the methodological quality and statistical appeal of trials from countries with different development statuses?
Conclusion
Country development significantly impacts manuscript selection bias, which may be increasing over time.
Supporting Evidence
- The study included 400 records from clinical trials.
- There was a significant increase in the use of blinding in low-income countries from 1993 to 2003.
- The odds of having statistically significant results decreased for high-income countries from 1993 to 2003.
Takeaway
This study found that research from poorer countries is less likely to be published, and this bias seems to be getting worse.
Methodology
The study analyzed clinical trials from different income groups between 1993 and 2003, focusing on randomization, blinding, and statistical significance.
Potential Biases
There is a risk of bias due to the underrepresentation of poorer countries in medical journals.
Limitations
The study lacks data on the total number of papers submitted and relies on abstracts, which may omit important information.
Participant Demographics
Clinical trials from low, lower-middle, upper-middle, and high-income countries were included.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.02
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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