Some observations on psychiatric research.
Principles of sound research design are too often incompletely applied in scientific investigations. Physicians may fail to evaluate journal articles for quality of research, comparability among studies, and clinical relevance. For many investigators quick publishable experiments take precedence over those with rigorous methods. Clinicians and researchers are becoming more aware of these concerns. Students should be taught the skills necessary to interpret scientific reading. Greater attention should be given to correct research design, and authors should fully explain both the procedures of a study, and its relevance. Fewer published articles and more review papers or commentaries might also stimulate better research quality.
D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000639:trends*; D011643:Publishing / Q000639:trends; D012107:Research Design