Here’s why all published studies aren’t created equal

Getting a study published in a respected medical journal is important. Very important.

Studies can go from medical journals to a press release — and then you can make the news and get into every home in the country.

But when a well-thought-of journal goes to the “dark side” it can take junk science and send it out on the Internet superhighway at super-speeds.

And that’s exactly what a university librarian discovered had happened with a well-respected Canadian publication.

For 17 years the journal Experimental & Clinical Cardiology had an excellent reputation for publishing cutting-edge research.

Then it got sold to a company that does its banking in Turks and Caicos, one of the resort islands in the Caribbean. So you know this isn’t a typical medical journal company any more.

And now if you want a study printed in E&CC, no problem! Just send them some money!

That’s exactly what the Ottawa Citizen newspaper did.

It sent in a “study” that was a “hodgepodge of medical-sounding words adding up to nothing.”

And it also sent a check for $1,200.

The study was published with no problem. Along with it were dozens of other, similar studies, which the paper calls “sloppy, or worse.”

Now those $1,200 fees add up. The paper estimated that the journal made around $170,000 just in one month on these types of “studies.” All with no real costs, since it only appears online.

The original owners, who currently publish 10 legitimate medical journals, said they “don’t have a clue who these people are.” The publication was losing money, and when some folks showed up from New York to buy it, they were “thrilled.”

But those New Yorkers sold it to another group, one suspected of being headquartered in the Middle East. And it was all downhill from there.

So if you hear the perky blonde on the morning news talking about some “new” research from Experimental & Clinical Cardiology, don’t believe a word of it!

Sources:
“Respected medical journal turns to dark side” Tom Spears, August 20, 2014, The Ottawa Citizen, ottawacitizen.com