Reducing the probability of false positive research findings by pre-publication validation - experience with a large multiple sclerosis database.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Published false positive research findings are a major problem in the process of scientific discovery. There is a high rate of lack of replication of results in clinical research in general, multiple sclerosis research being no exception. Our aim was to develop and implement a policy that reduces the probability of publishing false positive research findings. We have assessed the utility to work with a pre-publication validation policy after several years of research in the context of a large multiple sclerosis database.

Methods

The large database of the Sylvia Lawry Centre for Multiple Sclerosis Research was split in two parts: one for hypothesis generation and a validation part for confirmation of selected results. We present case studies from 5 finalized projec

SUBMITTER: Daumer M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2358908 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature