Unnatural Selection? An Analysis of the Factors Associated with Unpublished Prospective Clinical Research in Radiation Oncology

The results of the review demonstrate publication bias. Less than half of the completed clinical trials in radiation oncology from 2000-2005 were published; Phase III status, multi-center sites, non-industry funding, randomized allocation larger participant pools, and a longer study duration all contributed to successful publication of those trials. Ascertaining facilitative and inhibitory factors to publication may facilitate transparency in medical literature and thereby improve clinical advancements and the scientific discovery process.