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Registration of Observational Studies Does Not Enhance Validity
Author(s) -
Savitz D A
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
clinical pharmacology and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.941
H-Index - 188
eISSN - 1532-6535
pISSN - 0009-9236
DOI - 10.1038/clpt.2011.199
Subject(s) - observational study , clinical pharmacology , quality (philosophy) , psychology , medical physics , medicine , pharmacology , epistemology , philosophy
Mandatory registration of observational studies has been proposed to enhance quality of published research and reduce selective publication of positive findings. Enhanced communication of study plans would be welcome, but the alleged benefits to research quality are illusory. In particular, prespecification of hypotheses has no independent effect on data quality or the likelihood that hypotheses are correct. Registration of studies and hypotheses is likely to be misinterpreted as an independent determinant of validity. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2011); 90 5, 646–648. doi: 10.1038/clpt.2011.199