Non-financial conflict of interest in social intervention trials and systematic reviews: An analysis of the issues with case studies and proposals for management

Abstract

Research suggests that effect sizes are larger when program developers conduct studies compared to independent researchers. This is sometimes attributed to biases linked to conflicts of interest (CoI). While potential financial CoI is often acknowledged, non-financial CoI is more subtle, rarely reported and just as likely to lead to biased results. This paper highlights key arguments about non-financial CoI in the field of social and behavioral intervention research. It presents three cases studies of widely-disseminated child and family interventions which have been the subject of critical appraisals and debates related to potential non-financial CoI as a source of bias. The case studies illustrate how evidence appraisal can differ depending on the independence of the appraisers and how this may affect decisions around what is considered ‘good’ evidence. The case studies highlight the complex issues involved in trying to substantiate non-financial CoI, the unsatisfactory and fragmented ways that it is currently addressed, and the need for improved guidance to prevent and redress it.