Volta

Elevating the importance of Risk of Bias assessment for ecology and evolution

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses are key evidence synthesis methods informing research and policy. An assessment of the Risk of Bias (RoB) in included studies is normally considered an essential component of these. However, RoB assessment is rare in ecology and evolutionary biology (EEB), and tools from other fields are seldom adopted. To identify reasons for this limited uptake, we surveyed 232 ecologists and evolutionary biologists with evidence synthesis experience. Only 28 were familiar with the RoB concept, and 46 confused it with publication bias. Just 10 had conducted a RoB assessment, most of whom found it challenging. We also reviewed the guidelines of 275 journals publishing EEB research. Out of 209 journals that likely solicit evidence synthesis, only five referenced …

Reference & gravity metrics

Secondary-market trade history

References (1)

Cited by (1)