[e-drug] Wording of Papers, Use of Statistics (2)

["Dr.Leo Offerhaus" <offerhausl@euronet.nl>]

E-DRUG: Wording of Papers, Use of Statistics (2)
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Dear E-druggers, dear George,

It has often been said - and repeated - that there are some things peer-reviewed scientific journals cannot do: 

The bulk of the registration data will NOT be published because either the material is not scientifically interesting enough (and one of the main jobs of a chief editor is to make his/her journal readable, otherwise it will not be sold) or because the manufacturer has his reasons to reveal the data only to the registration authorities. Hopefully such data will in the future be stored in appropriate online databases, accessible to the public.

There still are three different categories of scientific publication media: 

(1) the top-notch peer-reviewed journals where papers are sent out to at least two known experts in the field, who are supposed to have the knowledge George found wanting. The assessments as well as the original paper are again reviewed by the chief editor, who will return the paper to the author with all the comments and the request to review or rewrite the paper. A second full assessment may follow. 

Then (2) there is a large group of "second rate" journals without proper reviewing system; many of those are directly or indirectly sponsored, otherwise they might not survive. Often papers are written by ghostwriters - who might be quite good, but are paid by industry. They are not really willing to be "taught", but the majority will not be quoted by Current Contents or Medline. 

And finally (3) there is the well-known problem of the "scientific supplements" to peer-reviewed journals, often containing reports of sponsored meetings and congresses. These then are quoted by Medline. 

So the readers should in the first place be taught how to select and read journals, not the other way round.

I can wholeheartedly recommend reading Marcia Angell's recent book, which should be available from your library.

Best wishes,

Leo Offerhaus
Former Managing Editor of a well known peer-reviewed scientific journal (clinical pharmacology).