Identification of and Correction for Publication Bias

Isaiah Andrews and Maximilian Kasy

No 23298, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

Abstract: Some empirical results are more likely to be published than others. Such selective publication leads to biased estimates and distorted inference. This paper proposes two approaches for identifying the conditional probability of publication as a function of a study’s results, the first based on systematic replication studies and the second based on meta-studies. For known conditional publication probabilities, we propose median-unbiased estimators and associated confidence sets that correct for selective publication. We apply our methods to recent large-scale replication studies in experimental economics and psychology, and to meta-studies of the effects of minimum wages and de-worming programs.

JEL-codes: C12 C13 C18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017-03
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-ecm
Note: LS
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (32)

Published as Isaiah Andrews & Maximilian Kasy, 2019. "Identification of and Correction for Publication Bias," American Economic Review, vol 109(8), pages 2766-2794.

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Related works:
Journal Article: Identification of and Correction for Publication Bias (2019)
Working Paper: Identification of and correction for publication bias (2018)
Working Paper: Identification of and correction for publication bias (2017)
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