Publishers’ Post-Publication Response on Concerns Regarding False Data
in Clinical Research in Women’s Health: A Cohort Study
Abstract
Objective: There are increasing concerns about the
trustworthiness of the medical literature. When identified after
publication, such concerns about published papers can be addressed
through a post-publication review (PPR) system. We evaluated the
effectiveness and efficiency of this system while addressing studies in
women’s health. Design: Cohort study Setting: The
project was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology,
Monash University, Australia. Sample: Papers Published in
Women’s Health Journals Methods: We wrote to the editors and
publishers about potentially untrustworthy papers in women’s health and
requested an investigation according to the procedure established by the
Committee of Publication Ethics (COPE). Main outcome measure:
For each paper, we tabulated the trial characteristics, investigation
outcome [retraction, expression of concern (EoC), correction or no
wrongdoing found] and time to decision. We also report the case
completion rate per journal and publisher. Results: Between 7
th November 2017 and 30 th April
2024, we wrote to editors and publishers of 891 potentially
untrustworthy papers published in 206 different journals. At present,
263 (30%) of 891 papers received an outcome, with 227 (86%) labelled
as problematic (152 (58%) papers retracted; 75 (29%) EoC). It took a
median time of 16 months for editors and publishers to decide, with 13%
of the flagged cases reaching a decision within 12 months.
Conclusions: The current PPR process is inefficient and
ineffective in assessing and removing untrustworthy data from the
medical literature. Funding: No funding was sought for this
project.