A funnel plot in a meta-analysis shows asymmetry, with small negative studies missing. What does this suggest?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. Publication bias
- Step 1: Funnel plots display effect size against study precision. Step 2. Missing small studies with null or negative results suggest they were not published, which inflates the pooled effect. Answer: Publication bias. Why not the others: Homogeneity would not show asymmetry. Random error alone gives a symmetric funnel. Confounding by indication is a bias in observational studies.
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