May 11, 2005

Journalists suggest scientists know more than they do

Three of my former Dartmouth colleagues published an excellent review in the Washington Post on how news coverage last year "probably misled readers about both the size and certainty of the benefit of aspirin in preventing breast cancer."

More than just pointing a finger, the researchers explain how the research was misinterpreted and offer some lessons about interpreting medical research.

Since they cite stories that appeared in the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, USA Today and the major television networks, it is a lesson worth learning.

Posted by schwitz at May 11, 2005 07:56 AM | TrackBack
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