Serious errors in published articles
Relevant to the Cochrane Library editorial policies on
Cochrane has robust, open, and methodologically mature processes aimed at ensuring that Cochrane reviews provide the best available evidence of the effects of healthcare interventions. These include documented methodologies, training, peer review, an open feedback system, and a willingness to embrace continuous improvement. However, despite these best endeavours, flaws may sometimes appear in Cochrane reviews.
A serious error has occurred when:
- Following the conclusions of the review could result in harm to patients or populations of interest (other than known adverse effects).
- The description of one or more included studies contain(s) factual errors that risk misinforming decisions about the implementation of or investment in an intervention.
- The reported treatment effect is inconsistent with the real effect shown in the reported data.
- One or more included studies are retracted from publication, and an analysis shows that the removal of the retracted studies from the analyses in the Cochrane review could lead to a serious error as defined in the previous three points above.
The Editor in Chief must be notified of all suspected or confirmed serious errors in order to begin an investigation and agree a course of action.