Reviewers' bias against the null hypothesis: the reproductive hazard of binge drinking.
We examined whether scientific reviewers exhibit bias in scoring a simulated "positive" study (i.e. showing adverse fetal effects) as compared to a simulated "negative" study on the fetal effects of binge drinking. The reviewers of the "negative" study tended to reject it more commonly, to give it lower scores, and there was significantly more variability from the median in their scores. Scientific journals should make an effort to eliminate this source of bias against negative results.
Koren
Gideon
G
The Ivey Chair in Molecular Toxicology, Department of Medicine, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada. gkoren@sickkids.ca
Fernandes
Andrea
A
D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology; D000431:Ethanol / Q000506:poisoning*; D005260:Female; D063647:Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D017712:Peer Review, Research / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D010506:Periodicals as Topic / Q000592:standards; D011247:Pregnancy; D011287:Prejudice
D000431:Ethanol