Methodology over metrics: current scientific standards are a disservice to patients and society.

ABSTRACT: Covid-19 research made it painfully clear that the scandal of poor medical research, as denounced by Altman in 1994, persists today. The overall quality of medical research remains poor, despite longstanding criticisms. The problems are well known, but the research community fails to properly address them. We suggest that most problems stem from an underlying paradox: although methodology is undeniably the backbone of high-quality and responsible research, science consistently undervalues methodology. The focus remains more on the destination (research claims and metrics) than on the journey. Notwithstanding, research should serve society more than the reputation of those involved. While we notice that many initiatives are being established to improve components of the research cycle, thes

SUBMITTER: Van Calster B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8795888 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature