What type of bias can occur when researchers selectively report results?

The correct answer, publication bias, refers to the tendency of researchers and publishers to selectively report results, often highlighting positive findings while neglecting to publish negative or inconclusive results. This bias can distort the available evidence on a given topic, as studies that show significant or favorable results are more likely to be published than those that do not. This selective reporting can lead to an overestimation of the effectiveness of interventions or the strength of associations and is a critical consideration in evidence-informed practice, as it can influence systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and ultimately, clinical decision-making.

In the context of the options provided, methodological bias pertains to issues related to study design that can affect the integrity of the research process itself. Sampling bias involves errors that occur when the sample of participants studied does not represent the larger population, leading to skewed results. Confirmation bias refers to the tendency to search for, interpret, and remember information that confirms one’s pre-existing beliefs or hypotheses. Each of these types of bias can impact research quality, but it is publication bias that specifically relates to how reported results are managed and disseminated within the scientific community.