Is the Cochrane risk of bias tool good?

Version 2 of the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials (RoB 2) is the recommended tool to assess the risk of bias in randomized trials included in Cochrane Reviews. A proposed judgement about the risk of bias arising from each domain is generated by an algorithm, based on answers to the signalling questions.

What is Cochrane risk bias tool?

Use the modified Cochrane Collaboration tool to assess risk of bias for randomized controlled trials. Bias is assessed as a judgment (high, low, or unclear) for individual elements from five domains (selection, performance, attrition, reporting, and other).

Why the Cochrane risk of bias tool should not include funding source as a standard item?

Those opposed to adding funding source to the Cochrane risk of bias tool argue that all mechanisms of bias can be identified, perfectly measured, and incorporated quantitatively in the results of meta‐analysis. It is impossible or highly impractical to accurately measure all mechanisms of bias.

What is the risk of bias tool?

The risk of bias tool covers six domains of bias: selection bias, performance bias, detection bias, attrition bias, reporting bias, and other bias. Within each domain, assessments are made for one or more items, which may cover different aspects of the domain, or different outcomes.

How does the Cochrane risk of bias tool work?

A proposed judgement about the risk of bias arising from each domain is generated by an algorithm, based on answers to the signalling questions. Judgement can be ‘Low’ or ‘High’ risk of bias, or can express ‘Some concerns’. The tool and guidance on how to use it can be found here.

When did the risk of bias 2 tool come out?

Risk of Bias 2 (RoB 2) tool The Risk of Bias 2 (RoB 2) tool is an update to the original risk of bias tool that launched in 2008. The relevant chapter in the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions Chapter 8, titled ‘ Assessing risk of bias in a randomized trial ’.

How to assess risk of bias in randomized trials?

Current Cochrane tool for risk of bias in randomized trials • Six sources of bias (with optional ‘Other’) • For each source, •Free text to describe what happened •Judgement: Low risk / Unclear risk / High risk of bias • Some sources of bias can be repeated for different endpoints Current Cochrane tool for risk of bias in randomized trials

What are the Mecir standards for risk of bias?

The Methodological Expectations for Cochrane Intervention Reviews (MECIR) Manual includes standards for assessing risk of bias in included studies; C52-60. Up-to-date information from the developers on RoB 2 is available via the Risk of Bias tools website: https://www.riskofbias.info/