What are some examples of publication bias in psychology?

What are some examples of publication bias in psychology?

Publication bias occurs when studies with positive results are more likely to be published than those with negative or inconclusive results. One example is the tendency for journals to favor studies that show a significant effect of a treatment over those that do not.

Can you give me a specific study that illustrates this?

Sure! A well-known example is the research on antidepressants. Many studies showing positive effects of these medications were published, while studies that found no significant benefits were often not published.

What impact does this bias have on psychological research?

This bias can lead to an overestimation of the effectiveness of treatments and interventions, skewing the understanding of psychological phenomena and potentially harming clinical practices.

How can researchers combat publication bias?

Researchers can combat publication bias by preregistering their studies, sharing all results regardless of the outcome, and promoting open access to research data.