Funnel plot

How it is used

Asymmetry can have several causes and does not prove publication bias.

Example sentences

1. The funnel plot was asymmetric, so we explored differences in study design.

   Design differences offer one possible explanation.

2. With only four studies, the funnel plot provided little useful information.

   Sparse evidence limits what the pattern can show.

Common collocations

• inspect a funnel plot
• asymmetric funnel plot

Related terms

• meta-analysisA statistical method that combines the results of many independent studies on the same question to produce an overall estimate of an effect.
• systematic reviewA review that uses a clear, pre-planned and repeatable method to find, select and evaluate all relevant studies on a specific question.

More terms: Data and Analysis

• data
• findings
• analysis
• significant
• draw a conclusion
• correlation
• thematic analysis
• account for
• interpret
• dataset
• mean
• standard deviation