Which bias is caused by excluding studies based on their language in systematic reviews?

The bias that arises from excluding studies based on their language in systematic reviews is referred to as language bias. This specific type of bias occurs when non-English studies are omitted from the review, potentially leading to an incomplete picture of the available evidence. When systematic reviews predominantly include studies published in English, they may overlook significant findings or relevant data published in other languages. This can result in skewed conclusions, as the body of literature may not truly represent the broader research landscape.

By failing to incorporate studies from various linguistic backgrounds, reviewers risk introducing a systematic error that affects the validity and generalizability of their findings. Therefore, recognizing and addressing language bias is crucial for a thorough and accurate synthesis of evidence in systematic reviews.