Dr. Besson has invented a drug that she believes will be an effective treatment for migraines. If the drug is truly safe and effective, she may become quite rich, so she has a strong financial incentive to conduct research that proves that the drug is safe and effective even if it isn't. What aspects of the scientific process will tend to decrease the likelihood that she will publish low-quality research that mistakenly concludes that the drug is safe and effective?

Question

Biology

Julianna Yu

7 February, 09:19

Dr. Besson has invented a drug that she believes will be an effective treatment for migraines. If the drug is truly safe and effective, she may become quite rich, so she has a strong financial incentive to conduct research that proves that the drug is safe and effective even if it isn't. What aspects of the scientific process will tend to decrease the likelihood that she will publish low-quality research that mistakenly concludes that the drug is safe and effective?

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Answers (1)

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Michael Lloyd · Answer 1

statistical hypothesis testing

Explanation:

The new drug must be evaluated by statistical tests in order to compare this it with a control (i. e. a placebo). This comparison must be statistically significant to accept the hypothesis that the drug is effective. The statistical significance in these tests is very important since it is the only way to accept a hypothesis with confidence that it is true. If Dr. Besson doesn't get that, their drug will hardly be released.

On the other hand, proving that the drug is safe (i. e no harmful side effects) implies more research and is more difficult to prove.