Research techniques made simple: workflow for searching databases to reduce evidence selection bias in systematic reviews

Le Cleach, Laurence; Doney, Elizabeth; Katz, Kenneth A.; Williams, Hywel C.; Trinquart, Ludovic

Abstract

Clinical trials and basic science studies without statistically significant results are less likely to be published than studies with statistically significant results. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses that omit unpublished data are at high risk of distorted conclusions. Here, we describe methods to search beyond bibliographical databases to reduce evidence selection bias in systematic reviews. Unpublished studies may be identified by searching conference proceedings. Moreover, clinical trial registries—databases of planned and ongoing trials—and regulatory agency websites such as the European Medicine Agency (EMA) and the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may provide summaries of efficacy and safety data. Primary and secondary outcomes are prespecified in trial registries, thus allowing the assessment of outcome reporting bias by comparison with the trial report. The sources of trial data and documents are still evolving, with ongoing initiatives promoting broader access to clinical study reports and individual patient data. There is currently no established methodology to ensure that the multiple sources of information are incorporated. Nonetheless, systematic reviews must adapt to these improvements and cover the new sources in their search strategies.

Citation

Le Cleach, L., Doney, E., Katz, K. A., Williams, H. C., & Trinquart, L. (2016). Research techniques made simple: workflow for searching databases to reduce evidence selection bias in systematic reviews. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 136(12), e125-e129. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jid.2016.09.019

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 19, 2016
• Online Publication Date: Nov 21, 2016
• Publication Date: Dec 31, 2016
• Deposit Date: Jan 6, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 6, 2017
• Journal: Journal of Investigative Dermatology
• Print ISSN: 0022-202X
• Electronic ISSN: 1523-1747
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 136
• Issue: 12
• Article Number: e125-e129
• Pages: e125-e129
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jid.2016.09.019
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/831328
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jid.2016.09.019
• Additional Information: This article is maintained by: Elsevier; Article Title: Research Techniques Made Simple: Workflow for Searching Databases to Reduce Evidence Selection BiasinSystematic Reviews; Journal Title: Journal of Investigative Dermatology; CrossRef DOI link to publisher maintained version: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jid.2016.09.019; Content Type: article; Copyright: © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier, Inc. on behalf of the Society for Investigative Dermatology.