Citation

Murali NS, Ghosh AK. Evid. Based Healthc. Public Health 2005; 9(6): 374-375.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.ehbc.2005.09.011

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

FUTON bias (short for Full Text On the Net bias) refers to the bias in academic research, when researchers are more likely to search and read what is available online, and ignore relevant studies that are available offline in printed format only. As a result, articles that are available as full text on the Internet have more visibility and impact, as they are more likely to be accessed, read, quoted, and incorporated into new research. Such research therefore risks being of limited value.

FUTON bias is a result of several factors. Very few libraries in general have a full range of journals available, and if the article is available, it may be only in print or microform.

FUTON bias tends to result in older sources getting less visibility, as they are less likely to have been digitized. Similarly, sources published in less developed countries are similarly adversely affected, as those countries tend to have less resources that can be spared for digitalization.

No abstract available bias (NAA bias) is similar to FUTON bias: it occurs when an article has no abstract available online. Such articles, as well as those with unclear titles are also less likely to be accessed.