Funnel plot
Funnel Plot
A Funnel Plot (pronunciation: /ˈfʌnəl plɒt/) is a graphical tool used in meta-analyses and systematic reviews to assess the presence of publication bias.
Etymology
The term "Funnel Plot" was first used in this context by Richard J. Light and David B. Pillemer in their 1984 book Summing Up: The Science of Reviewing Research. The name is derived from the shape of the graph, which resembles a funnel.
Description
In a Funnel Plot, each point represents a separate study. The x-axis typically represents the effect size, while the y-axis represents the precision of the estimate (often the inverse of the standard error). In the absence of publication bias, the graph should resemble a symmetrical inverted funnel. This is because smaller studies (with larger standard errors) will scatter more widely at the bottom of the graph, while larger studies will cluster at the apex, where the effect size is most precise.
Related Terms
- Meta-analysis: A statistical technique for combining the findings from independent studies.
- Systematic Review: A type of literature review that collects and critically analyzes multiple research studies or papers.
- Publication Bias: The tendency for researchers, editors, and pharmaceutical companies to handle the reporting of experimental results that are positive (i.e., showing a significant finding) differently from results that are negative (i.e., supporting the null hypothesis) or inconclusive.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Funnel plot
- Wikipedia's article - Funnel plot
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