RCR: Ensure Rigor in Your Study Proposal and Conduct with Risk of Bias Tools

Presented by Helena VonVille, MLS, MPH, School of Public Health Liaison and Research and Instruction Librarian

You finally have statistically significant results. But—are those results the truth? And, if not, why not? Risk of Bias (RoB) is defined as “a systematic error, or deviation from truth, in results” (Cochrane Handbook, Chapter 7), resulting in an overestimation or underestimation of the intervention or exposure effect size. Studies found to be at high risk of bias can be excluded from meta-analyses, reducing dissemination opportunities and possibly resulting in an article retraction if the causes are egregious enough. Multiple RoB tools have been developed to assess for potential bias in studies selected for inclusion in systematic reviews. They can also be utilized to self-assess your grant proposal, study protocol, study conduct, and data analysis to ensure you have not introduced excessive bias. (subject matter: data acquisition and analysis)

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Define risk of bias and explain how RoB is typically used

2. Compare and contrast RoB and critical appraisal

3. Locate RoB assessment tools

4. Describe how RoB assessment tools can improve the rigor of your project proposal and overall study conduct