[R-meta] Publication bias in the context of subgroup analysis

[Daniel Foster]

Hello all,

I am carrying out a multi-level meta-analysis and I have a question regarding publication bias in the context of subgroup analysis.

I have noticed that many meta-regression models include a precision measure (SE or SE^2) in their final model along with covariates. Is the same true for subgroup analysis in a multi-level analysis wherein moderators are tested individually?

For example:
moderertorX <- rma.mv(yi, vi, mods = ~ SE + moderertorX, random = list(~ 1 | EffectSize_ID, ~1 | Study_ID), tdist=TRUE, data=data)

Thanks!
Daniel