In a significant step towards enhancing the reliability and trustworthiness of evidence, Cochrane has launched a new feature in the CENTRAL database that allows users to easily identify publications that have been retracted by publishers. This new functionality will assist Information Specialists and systematic review authors in ensuring that potentially unreliable studies do not find their way into Cochrane reviews, helping to maintain the high standards of evidence synthesis that the organization is known for.
The updated feature, introduced in January 2025, enables users to spot retracted publications directly within their search results in the Trials tab of the Cochrane Library. When a retracted study appears in search results, a banner will alert users that the publication has been flagged as retracted by its publisher. Labeling these studies with the tag “Retracted publication:pt” will streamline the process of identifying problematic studies that could potentially undermine the integrity of systematic reviews.
Cochrane’s policy for managing problematic studies has always maintained that publications with retractions should not be included in Cochrane reviews. However, identifying retracted articles has proven difficult in the past, primarily due to inconsistent methods of marking these retractions across journals and databases. In response, Cochrane has worked to standardize the process and is now leveraging the curated RetractionWatch database to enhance its identification efforts.
While the feature is now live in CENTRAL, Cochrane acknowledges that further efforts are required to fully address the challenges posed by retracted publications. According to recent studies, the communication of retractions by journals is often incomplete, with vague retraction notices and inconsistent annotations making it difficult to track these publications. In some cases, issues with a study may only be discovered after a systematic review has been published.
Cochrane is actively working on linking identified retracted studies with published and ongoing reviews. Future plans include implementing automated systems to notify systematic review authors of any retractions, ensuring that such studies are not included in the evidence synthesis process.
As part of its commitment to continuous improvement, Cochrane aims to further expand its use of additional sources in the future to identify more retracted publications. This ongoing effort reflects the organization’s dedication to upholding the highest standards of evidence and providing healthcare professionals with the most reliable, accurate information available.
By introducing this new feature, Cochrane continues to lead the way in making systematic reviews more accurate, transparent, and reflective of the most up-to-date evidence available.
Click here to read the original press release.
