In media reports of scientific findings, researchers are sometimes quoted promoting a particular treatment or product. Which of the following statements presents the claim and rational that you should be most skeptical of?
A) A researcher has conducted cancer research for 5 years; he claims that a particular cancer drug works well are less credible than other researchers who have been in the field for a longer period of time.
B) A researcher conducts experiments with animals; he claims that overcrowding causes stress. This is not credible because his studies do not involve human subjects.
C) A researcher conducts experiments outside the United States of America; he claims that a drug he developed is effective are less credible because his laboratory is outside federal regulations.
D) A researcher conducts experiments for a university that are funded by a pharmaceutical company; he claims that the company's drug is effective is less credible because he has vested interest.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Researchers who have a vested interest in the outcome of their study may have biases that affect their interpretation of the results. In this case, the researcher may be promoting the pharmaceutical company's drug in order to maintain their funding or receive other benefits from the company. This does not necessarily mean that the drug is not effective, but it should be viewed with more skepticism and further research should be conducted to confirm the findings.

In Media Reports of Scientific Findings, Researchers Are Sometimes Quoted