assess-publication-bias
Purpose
Assess publication, reporting, time-lag, citation, and language bias using diagnostics appropriate to the evidence design.
Input contract
yamlrequired: [evidence_records, outcome_schema, inclusion_frame] optional: [registry_records, search_log, effect_estimates] constraints: [bias claims require an observable missingness or selection pattern]
Procedure
- Define the eligible study universe and the observed evidence subset.
- Compare availability, reporting, citation, timing, and language patterns across the declared dimensions.
- Apply design-appropriate diagnostics and record assumptions.
- Distinguish detected bias, plausible bias, and unassessed domains.
If the conclusion may change under plausible missing-study or selection-bias scenarios, consider assess-sensitivity as the next tactic.
Output contract
yamlproduces: [bias_domain_assessments, diagnostic_results, sensitivity_implications, unassessed_domains] delta_fields: [findings, evidence_updates, uncertainties, decisions, open_questions]
Quality gates
- The denominator for each bias domain is explicit.
- Diagnostics are not used outside their design assumptions.
Failure and counterexamples
Do not equate small samples with publication bias or treat absence from one index as non-publication.
Provenance map
resolved: knowledge-acquisition-publication-bias-assessmentresolved: bias-detection


