Data transparency crisis in research: How limited data access undermines systematic reviews and meta-analyses
By
Saul Martin-Rodriguez ,
Summary
This Policy Forum article by Saul Martin-Rodriguez and colleagues examines the data transparency crisis in research, focusing on how limited access to underlying datasets and analytical code compromises the validity of systematic reviews and meta-analyses. The authors argue that reliance on incomplete summary statistics forces researchers to use imputation and unverifiable assumptions, which can distort effect estimates and mislead clinical decision-making. They call for strengthening enforceable data-sharing mechanisms, including clearer enforcement and pragmatic verification approaches within editorial workflows.
Source
bskyData transparency crisis in research: How limited data access undermines systematic reviews and meta-analysesplos.ioKey quotes
· 3 pulledSystematic reviews and meta-analyses underpin clinical guidelines and health policy, yet their validity may be compromised by limited access to underlying datasets and associated analytical code.
Reliance on incomplete or inconsistently reported summary statistics forces researchers to use imputation and unverifiable assumptions, which can distort effect estimates and mislead clinical decision-making.
The consequences extend beyond methodology...
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