Plausibility and influence in selection models: A comment on Citkowicz and Vevea (2017)

Abstract

I discuss how methods that adjust for publication selection involve implicit or explicit selection models. Such models describe the relation between the studies conducted and those actually observed. I argue that the evaluation of selection models should include an evaluation of the plausibility of the empirical implications of that model. This includes how many studies would have had to exist to yield the observed sample of studies. I also argue that the amount of influence that one or a small number of studies might have on the overall results is also important to understand. (PsycINFO Database Record