Most Scientific Articles Are…

Wrong, wrong, wrong:

Most published scientific research papers are wrong, according to a new analysis. Assuming that the new paper is itself correct, problems with experimental and statistical methods mean that there is less than a 50% chance that the results of any randomly chosen scientific paper are true.

John Ioannidis, an epidemiologist at the University of Ioannina School of Medicine in Greece, says that small sample sizes, poor study design, researcher bias, and selective reporting and other problems combine to make most research findings false. But even large, well-designed studies are not always right, meaning that scientists and the public have to be wary of reported findings.

If you want to read the actual study, you can find it here. Of course,if the article is correct, the study has more than a 50% chance of being wrong, in which case it would be..right. Which would be…wrong. Right?

Adopt a Town, or a Family

Nariel over at Ancient Eyes has come upon a great idea. Head over and read it, then pass it on.

Most Scientific Articles Are…

Wrong, wrong, wrong:

Most published scientific research papers are wrong, according to a new analysis. Assuming that the new paper is itself correct, problems with experimental and statistical methods mean that there is less than a 50% chance that the results of any randomly chosen scientific paper are true.

John Ioannidis, an epidemiologist at the University of Ioannina School of Medicine in Greece, says that small sample sizes, poor study design, researcher bias, and selective reporting and other problems combine to make most research findings false. But even large, well-designed studies are not always right, meaning that scientists and the public have to be wary of reported findings.

If you want to read the actual study, you can find it here. Of course,if the article is correct, the study has more than a 50% chance of being wrong, in which case it would be..right. Which would be…wrong. Right?

Do You Believe We Are Fighting Evil People in Iraq?

Dennis Prager:

Because if you cannot answer it, or avoid answering it, or answer “no,” we know enough about your moral compass to know that further dialogue is unnecessary. In fact, dialogue is impossible. Our understanding of good and evil is so different from yours, there is simply nothing to discuss. Someone who was asked a hundred years ago “Do you believe that whites who lynch blacks are evil?” and refused to answer in the affirmative was not someone one could dialogue with.

Read the whole thing before commenting.

Adopt a Town, or a Family

Nariel over at Ancient Eyes has come upon a great idea. Head over and read it, then pass it on.