Subscribe now

Interview: The man who would prove all studies wrong

By Jim Giles

13 February 2008

New Scientist Default Image

(Image: Paul Stuart)

When the clinical epidemiologist John Ioannidis published a paper entitled “Why most published research findings are false” in 2005, he made a lot of scientists very uncomfortable. The study was the result of 15 years’ work cataloguing the factors that plague the interpretation of scientific results, such as the misuse of statistics or poor experimental design. Ioannidis tells Jim Giles why his conclusion is not as depressing as it appeared, and what he is doing to improve matters.

You’ve been described as the “man who would prove all studies wrong”. What was it like to find yourself in this …

To continue reading, subscribe today with our introductory offers

View introductory offers

No commitment, cancel anytime*

Offer ends 14th June 2023.

*Cancel anytime within 14 days of payment to receive a refund on unserved issues.

Inclusive of applicable taxes (VAT)

or

Existing subscribers

Sign in to your account

More from New Scientist

Explore the latest news, articles and features