List of terms

    Abstract Bias

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    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, B., Swaen, G. M., Urlings, M. J., Bouter, L. M., & Zeegers, M. P. (2019). The strong focus on positive results in abstracts may cause bias in systematic reviews: A case study on abstract reporting bias. Systematic Reviews, 8(1), 1–8.

    Originally drafted by: Ali H. Al-Hoorie

    Reviewed by: Mahmoud Elsherif, Bethan Iley, Sam Parsons, Gerald Vineyard, Eliza Woodward, Flávio Azevedo

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