Publication bias and time-trend bias in meta-analysis of bicycle helmet efficacy : a re-analysis of Attewell, Glase and McFadden, 2001.

Author(s)
Elvik, R.
Year
Abstract

This paper shows that the meta-analysis of bicycle helmet efficacy reported by Attewell, Glase, and McFadden (Accident Analysis and Prevention 2001, 345–352) was influenced by publication bias and time-trend bias that was not controlled for. As a result, the analysis reported inflated estimates of the effects of bicycle helmets. This paper presents a re-analysis of the study. The re-analysis included: (1) detecting and adjusting for publication bias by means of the trim-and-fill method; (2) ensuring the inclusion of all published studies by means of continuity corrections of estimates of effect rely on zero counts; (3) detecting and trying to account for a time-trend bias in estimates of the effects of bicycle helmets; (4) updating the study by including recently published studies evaluating the effects of bicycle helmets. The re-analysis shows smaller safety benefits associated with the use of bicycle helmets than the original study. (Author/publisher)

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Publication

Library number
20190156 ST [electronic version only]
Source

Accident Analysis and Prevention, Vol. 43 (2011), No. 3 (May), p. 1245-1251, 21 ref.

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