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Published on: September 20, 2018
The reporting of monetary compensation in research articles
Robert Klitzman1, Ilene Albala, Joseph Siragusa
1Columbia University (USA).
Summary
Published research rarely details study participant compensation. This lack of transparency hinders ethical reviews and study replication, particularly for high-risk trials involving substance users.
Area of Science:
- Clinical Research Ethics
- Medical Journal Publishing
Background:
- Study participant compensation is a growing ethical concern.
- However, the extent to which published research articles report this compensation remains largely unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the reporting rates of participant compensation in published scientific articles across various medical fields.
- To identify factors influencing the mention of compensation in research publications.
Main Methods:
- A Medline search was conducted for articles in six research areas: HIV, substance abuse (heroin, cocaine), depression, essential hypertension, and cardiac surgery.
- The reporting of financial compensation and specific amounts was analyzed across 207 selected articles.
Main Results:
- Only 13.5% of articles mentioned financial compensation, and 11.1% specified amounts.
- Studies involving substance users were significantly more likely to report compensation (p < .001).
- No significant difference in reporting was found for studies involving more than minimal risk interventions.
Conclusions:
- The low rates of reporting participant compensation in published research are concerning.
- Improved reporting standards are needed to facilitate ethical evaluations and enhance study replicability.
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