Publication Bias - Risks

Risks

According to John Ioannidis, negative papers are most likely to be suppressed when:

1. the studies conducted in a field are smaller
2. effect sizes are smaller
3. there is a greater number and lesser preselection of tested relationships
4. there is greater flexibility in designs, definitions, outcomes, and analytical modes
5. there is greater financial and other interest and prejudice
6. more teams are involved in a scientific field in chase of statistical significance.

Ioannidis further asserts that "claimed research findings may often be simply accurate measures of the prevailing bias".