This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

Why Most Published Research Findings Are False

John P. A. Ioannidis

Summary

There is increasing concern that most current published research findings are false. The probability that a research claim is true may depend on study power and bias, the number of other studies on the same question, and, importantly, the ratio of true to no relationships among the relationships probed in each scientific field. In this framework, a research finding is less likely to be true when the studies conducted in a field are smaller; when effect sizes are smaller; when there is a greater number and lesser preselection of tested relationships; where there is greater flexibility in designs, definitions, outcomes, and analytical modes; when there is greater financial and other interest and prejudice; and when more teams are involved in a scientific field in chase of statistical significance. Simulations show that for most study designs and settings, it is more likely for a research claim to be false than true. Moreover, for many current scientific fields, claimed research findings may often be simply accurate measures of the prevailing bias. In this essay, I discuss the implications of these problems for the conduct and interpretation of research.

Full text

The number that are false would probably be difficult to cull out.

There is a lot of research going on that is of no value to anything on the planet. I would like to see better methods of giving cash for research so that medical advances would be made more rapidly and so that the garbage research would be stopped.

About 95% of the mice research in MS coming to a conclusion would be nice.

gwa

Yeah but think of all those mice that would soon be out of a job

Seriously, I haven't seen much if anything that has ever been beneficial to a MS mouse that has worked on a human with MS.

Harry

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Why Most Published Research Findings Are False:

LOL

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Had ms for over 19 years now.