Increasing value and reducing waste in research design, conduct, and analysis.

ABSTRACT: Correctable weaknesses in the design, conduct, and analysis of biomedical and public health research studies can produce misleading results and waste valuable resources. Small effects can be difficult to distinguish from bias introduced by study design and analyses. An absence of detailed written protocols and poor documentation of research is common. Information obtained might not be useful or important, and statistical precision or power is often too low or used in a misleading way. Insufficient consideration might be given to both previous and continuing studies. Arbitrary choice of analyses and an overemphasis on random extremes might affect the reported findings. Several problems relate to the research workforce, including failure to involve experienced statisticians and methodologist

SUBMITTER: Ioannidis JP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4697939 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature