Why Most Published Research Findings Are False

A very interesting paper with devastating conclusions:

Why Most Published Research Findings Are False
John P. A. Ioannidis
PLoS Med, August 2005
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1182327/

Abstract:

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.

(with thanks to André Falcão)

Research funding: Making the cut

Research funding: Making the cut

Published online 22 September 2010 | Nature 467, 383-385 (2010) | doi:10.1038/467383a

Careers are made and broken by grant-funding committees. So how are the key decisions really made?

Kendall Powell


http://www.nature.com/news/2010/100922/full/467383a.html

How to get your papers accepted

Muito bom, leitura essencial para alunos de doutoramento:

How to get your papers accepted

só os tópicos:

1. Spellchcek.
2. Get the English right.
3. Make the figures readable!
4. "Related work" is not just a list of citations.
5. Make sure the intro kicks ass.
6. Get to the point.
7. State your contributions!
8. Don't bullshit.