Abstract Bias

Definition: The tendency to report only significant results in the abstract, while reporting non-significant results within the main body of the manuscript (not reporting non-significant results altogether would constitute selective reporting). The consequence of abstract bias is that studies reporting non-significant results may not be captured with standard meta-analytic search procedures (which rely on information in the title, abstract and keywords) and thus biasing the results of meta-analyses.

Related terms: Cherry-picking, Publication bias (File Drawer Problem), Selective reporting

Reference: Duyx et al. (2019)

Drafted and Reviewed by: Ali H. Al-Hoorie, Mahmoud Elsherif, Bethan Iley, Sam Parsons, Gerald Vineyard, Eliza Woodward, FlĂĄvio Azevedo

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