Misrepresentation of Randomized Controlled Trials in Press Releases and News Coverage: A Cohort Study

Yavchitz, Amélie; Boutron, Isabelle; Bafeta, Aïda; Marroun, Ibrahim; Charles, Pierre; Mantz, Jean; Ravaud, Philippe

doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1001308

Cited by 217 publications

(201 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…Generally, there has been a tendency for press releases and the associated media coverage of RCTs to emphasize the beneficial effects of experimental treatments [13]. The latter may be related to the presence of "spin" in conclusions of the scientific publications [3].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reporting of Randomized Trials in Common Cancers in the Lay Media

Ribnikar

Goldvaser²,

Ocaña³

et al. 2017

Oncology

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Background: Limited data exist about the role of the lay media in the dissemination of results of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in common cancers. Methods: Completed phase III RCTs evaluating new drugs in common cancers between January 2005 and October 2016 were identified from ClinicalTrials.gov. Lay media reporting was identified by searching LexisNexis Academic. Scientific reporting was defined as presentation at an academic conference or publication in full. Associations between reporting in the lay media before scientific reporting and study design and sponsorship were evaluated using logistic regression. Results: Of 180 RCTs identified, 52% were reported in the lay media and in 27%, lay media reporting occurred before scientific reporting with an increasing trend over time (p = 0.009). Reporting in the lay media before scientific reporting was associated with positive results (OR: 2.10, p = 0.04), targeted therapy compared to chemotherapy (OR: 4.75, p = 0.006), immunotherapy compared to chemotherapy (OR: 7.60, p = 0.02), and prostate cancer compared to breast cancer (OR: 3.25, p = 0.02). Conclusions: Over a quarter of all RCTs in common cancers are reported in the lay media before they are reported scientifically with an increasing proportion over time. Positive trials, studies in prostate cancer, and trials of immunotherapy are associated with early reporting in the lay media.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reporting of Randomized Trials in Common Cancers in the Lay Media

Ribnikar

Goldvaser²,

Ocaña³

et al. 2017

Oncology

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“…In our fields of nutrition and obesity, the constant vacillation of headlines and studies purporting that a food is good and then perhaps bad from week to week has contributed to a decreased trust in nutrition science, with many unscientific ideas being advanced through higher exposure (34,(74)(75)(76)(77). Although lay media have contributed to sensationalism and misrepresentation of science, many of these mistaken messages originate from the scientific community itself (78). If we are conducting erroneous research, then time, resources, and money have been wasted.…”

Section: The Prevalence and Consequences Of Errorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Issues with data and analyses: Errors, underlying themes, and potential solutions

Brown

Kaiser

Allison

2018

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

123

102

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Some aspects of science, taken at the broadest level, are universal in empirical research. These include collecting, analyzing, and reporting data. In each of these aspects, errors can and do occur. In this work, we first discuss the importance of focusing on statistical and data errors to continually improve the practice of science. We then describe underlying themes of the types of errors and postulate contributing factors. To do so, we describe a case series of relatively severe data and statistical errors coupled with surveys of some types of errors to better characterize the magnitude, frequency, and trends. Having examined these errors, we then discuss the consequences of specific errors or classes of errors. Finally, given the extracted themes, we discuss methodological, cultural, and systemlevel approaches to reducing the frequency of commonly observed errors. These approaches will plausibly contribute to the self-critical, self-correcting, ever-evolving practice of science, and ultimately to furthering knowledge.rigor | statistical errors | quality control | reproducibility | data analysis

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“…It has been shown that many medical findings are misinterpreted in lay press headlines. 21 Thus, the responsibility is really on those generating social media to offer fair interpretations of the findings to ensure that incorrect interpretations are not disseminated.…”

Section: Return On Investmentmentioning

confidence: 99%