Just because a study is funded by industry doesn't make it invalid.
Just because a
study is independently funded doesn't make it valid.  ALL research
should be
considered suspect until it is examined critically. Researchers may
have their own
agenda, even if money is not involved.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Some researchers just don't do good research,though their intentions
are good. That is also part of the reason for peer review.
Unfortunately, in complicated studies, not all the peers doing the
reviewing are very good at evaluating the research either, so you are
right, it is important for each person to evaluate carefully what we
read. Statistics is not my strong subject, but one of the best
statistics courses I took in grad school centered around learning how
to read articles critically and to find their strengths and weaknesses.
You'd be surprised what is published in the most prestigious journals.

On a personal
note, after more than 50 years of smoking, my 76 year old mother quit
last year.
Things are looking up.
------------------------------------------------------------------
That is quite an accomplishment! Congratulations to the whole family
for such a wise, persistent matriarch.

Naomi Bar-Yam
--------------------------------
Naomi Bar-Yam Ph.D.
[log in to unmask]

Researcher, Writer, Educator
in Maternal and Child Health
--------------------------------

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