Title of the Event: Detecting Publication Bias: The Role of Funnel Plots in Strengthening Meta-Analyses
Date: 09/05/2025
Time: 3.30 pm to 4.30 pm
Venue: 203, SICSR
Mode: Offline
Event Co-coordinator: Dr. Prakash Raut
Speaker: Dr. Hema Gaikwad, Assistant Professor, SICSR, Pune
Dr. Hema Gaikwad delivered an insightful session on the topic "Funnel Plots in Meta-Analysis: A Visual Tool for Detecting Publication Bias." Funnel plots are elegant yet powerful graphical tools used in meta-analyses to identify the presence of publication bias. By plotting the results of various studies against their sample size or precision, researchers can visually examine whether smaller studies with negative or non-significant outcomes are underrepresented. A symmetrical funnel shape indicates the absence of bias, whereas asymmetry suggests possible selective publication. This technique plays a crucial role in enhancing the reliability and transparency of systematic reviews, ensuring that conclusions drawn from combined studies are robust and trustworthy.
Photographs:
Dr. Hema Gaikwad explaining how funnel plots reveal hidden biases in research studies.
Engaged participants exploring the visual tools that ensure transparency in meta-analysis.
