Keeping the record straight 2: dealing with retractions, corrections and expressions of concern for studies included in systematic reviews

Workshop category: 

  • Innovative solutions to challenges of evidence production
Date and Location

Date: 

Monday 17 September 2018 - 14:00 to 15:30

Location: 

Lammermuir 2
Contact persons and facilitators

Contact person:

Bryony Urquhart

Facilitators:

Urquhart B1, Sydenham E2, Dennis J2, MacLehose H3, Cheyne J4
1 Editorial and Methods Department, Cochrane, Switzerland
2 Cochrane Injuries Group, United Kingdom
3 Cochrane Central Executive Team, United Kingdom
4 Cochrane Stroke Group, United Kingdom
Target audience

Target audience: 

Authors, Editors, Coordinating-Editors, Managing Editors, Information Specialists

Level of difficulty: 

Basic
Type of workshop

Type of workshop : 

Discussion
Abstract

Abstract:

Background:
Systematic reviews are a source of evidence for treatment decisions. After publication, however, problems may be identified with some of the included studies, including corrections, expressions of concern or, in extreme cases, retractions of data. Review authors may need to consider updating or changing their review in the light of these problems. Recently, Cochrane has published resources to guide authors and editors through the steps of identifying post-publication changes, deciding how to communicate these to readers and publishing an amended version. Patients benefit from this process because reviews are updated to include the latest evidence.   

Objectives:
Participants in this workshop will be able to:

1) identify retractions, corrections and expressions of concern, and make an initial assessment of impact;
2) appropriately record post-publication changes to a study that is included in one or more Cochrane Reviews, know how to communicate this information and consider who should be informed;
3) assess any changes to the systematic review that may be required and revise the systematic review appropriately;
4) know where to find the resources that are available to guide authors and editorial teams through this process.
 
Description:
Responding to post-publication changes to a study included in a systematic review can be challenging. In this discussion workshop, we will use case studies and the experiences of the participants present to explore how post-publication changes can be identified, what details to record and how to communicate the information. We will also discuss the different ways a study under question can be handled in the systematic review; whether to include or exclude the data, when to use the categorisation 'study awaiting classification', the role of sensitivity analyses, and when to publish an editorial expression of concern or retraction. We will discuss the support available throughout the whole (sometimes lengthy) process.
 
Participants' experiences will be welcomed. This discussion workshop will be of interest to systematic review authors and editorial teams with varied levels of experience.

Relevance to patients and consumers: 

Systematic reviews are a source of evidence for treatment decisions. After publication, however, problems may be identified with some of the included studies, including corrections, expressions of concern or, in extreme cases, retractions of data. Review authors may need to update their review in the light of these problems. Recently, Cochrane published resources to guide Review authors and editors through the steps of identifying post-publication changes in included studies, deciding what needs to be changed, and publishing an amended version. Patients benefit from this process because Reviews are updated to include the latest evidence.