Extent of spin in biomedical scientific papers revealed
More than a quarter of biomedical scientific papers may utilise practices that distort the interpretation of results or mislead readers so that results are viewed more favourably, a new University of Sydney study suggests.
Researchers from the University’s multidisciplinary Charles Perkins Centre and Faculty of Pharmacy reviewed 35 published academic studies of so-called ‘spin’ in biomedical scientific papers – also known as ‘science hype’.
Their findings, published in PLOS Biology, found more than 26 percent of papers identified as systematic reviews or meta-analyses contained spin. This figure rose to up to 84 percent in papers reporting on nonrandomised trials.
While spin was variably defined across the 35 studies, a wide variety of strategies to spin results were identified including:
- making inappropriate claims about statistically non-significant results
- making inappropriate recommendations for clinical practice that were not supported by study results
- attributing causality when that was not possible
- selective reporting, such as emphasising only statistically significant or subsets of data in the conclusions
- presenting data in a more favourable light than was warranted, for example writing overly optimistic abstracts, misleadingly describing the study design and underreporting adverse events.
Impact and factors contributing to spin need to be determined
Of the 35 studies reviewed, 19 examined whether particular factors were associated with the presence of spin – however the factors were considered too wide-ranging and unrelated to draw conclusions.
Most of the factors also focused on the characteristics of the individual scientists, journals or studies rather than broader issues in the sector, said co-author Professor Lisa Bero from the Faculty of Pharmacy and research group leader of the Charle’s Perkins Centre’s Evidence, Policy and Influence Collaborative.
“The contribution of research incentives and reward structures – for example financial and reputational – that rely on ‘positive’ conclusions in order to publish and garner media attention is yet to be addressed,” she said.
We see an urgent need for further research to determine the institutional or cultural factors that could contribute to such a high prevalence of spin in scientific literature – and to better understand the potential impact of spin on research, clinical practice and policy.Professor Lisa Bero
Lead author, Honours graduate Kellia Chiu, said researchers, peer reviewers and editors had a responsibility to remain constantly alert for spin.
“The scientific academic community would benefit from the development of tools that help us effectively identify spin and ensure accurate and impartial portrayal and interpretation of results,” she said.
“Publishing data alongside multiple interpretations of the data from multiple researchers is one way to be transparent about the occurrence of spin.”
Learn more: Don’t believe the hype – science spin prevalent, researchers warn
The Latest on: Science spin
[google_news title=”” keyword=”science spin” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Science spin
- Organon a spin off from Merck & Co leading the way for women's health in Montreal and beyondon May 2, 2024 at 7:43 am
In the broad healthcare landscape, one area that has historically been overlooked and under-prioritized is women's health. However, Canadian company Organon wants to change this.
- They swim and they spin: Meet the aquatic spiderson May 2, 2024 at 5:00 am
Some make nests inside seashells, others tote bubbles of air on their backs. The spiders that went back to water evolved lots of slick survival strategies.
- Paramount+ is giving away its new sci-fi movie spin-off for freeon April 30, 2024 at 2:12 am
Paramount+ has made the first episode of its new Sonic the Hedgehog spinoff series available to watch for free. Knuckles is a live action show starring Idris Elba as the eponymous echidna as he's ...
- The Ecosystem: inside ETH Zurich’s spin-off factoryon April 29, 2024 at 11:29 pm
By the standards of most universities, ETH Zurich produces a lot of spin-off companies. In the past decade the total has ranged from 22 to 34 new ventures each year, with a record-breaking 43 new spin ...
- 8 Sci-Fi Movie Inventions Ruined By Real Scienceon April 29, 2024 at 4:20 pm
Holograms and cryogenic stasis may look cool in movies, but real-life science still has a long way to go to make them a reality.
- ‘The science isn’t there’: do dating apps really help us find our soulmate?on April 28, 2024 at 12:20 pm
The effectiveness of Tinder and Hinge are hard to judge without access to their data. But now researchers are creating a free alternative with full transparency ...
- Spheres that spinon April 26, 2024 at 12:42 am
Explore the mysteries of the universe with Sage Lomasa and Kakabhushundi as they talk about why celestial objects spin ...
- Unlocking spin current secrets: A new milestone in spintronicson April 23, 2024 at 2:55 pm
Using neutron scattering and voltage measurements, a group of researchers have discovered that a material's magnetic properties can predict spin current changes with temperature. The finding is a ...
- The science of steel woolon April 22, 2024 at 5:00 am
Irwin Cox, of San Francisco, a pan and utensil salesman, invented a pre-soaped pad with which to clean greasy pots. As a way of introducing himself to potential ...
via Bing News