Further exploration of dissemination bias in qualitative research required to facilitate assessment within qualitative evidence syntheses

Abstract

Objectives: To conceptualise and discuss dissemination bias in qualitative research.

Results: It is likely that the mechanisms leading to dissemination bias in quantitative research, including time lag, language, gray literature, and truncation bias also contribute to dissemination bias in qualitative research. These conceptual considerations have informed the development of a research agenda.

Conclusion: Further exploration of dissemination bias in qualitative research is needed, including the extent of non-dissemination and related dissemination bias, and how to assess dissemination bias within qualitative evidence syntheses. We also need to consider the mechanisms through which dissemination bias in qualitative research could occur to explore approaches for reducing it.

Keywords: Dissemination bias; Nondissemination; Publication bias; Qualitative evidence syntheses; Qualitative research; Systematic review.