Error and Fraud

Biomedical research is often presented as more reliable than it is. This book shows how studies in the field are designed, why each main research approach has its own logic and strengths, and where each one falls short. Its aim is to help readers judge health claims in the news, such as those linking lifestyle, environment or diet to illness. With that judgment, they can decide whether a claim merits serious attention, a change in personal habits, or further funding for research.

The book also looks at the troubling possibility that some research data has been dishonestly produced. It describes warning signs that may point to fabricated results. Students and researchers can use these tools to recognise the limits of different methods and to assess their own work and that of others more realistically.