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Published on: June 21, 2019
Do declarative titles affect readers' perceptions of research findings? A randomized trial
Elizabeth Wager1, Douglas G Altman2, Iveta Simera2
1Sideview, Station Road, Princes Risborough, HP27 9DE UK.
Research Integrity and Peer Review
|February 17, 2018
Summary
Declarative titles, which state study findings, did not significantly alter reader perceptions of evidence strength compared to descriptive titles in randomized trials. This suggests journal concerns about undue influence may be unfounded for such studies.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Scientific Publishing
- Research Methodology
Background:
- Many journals restrict declarative titles stating study outcomes, while some encourage them.
- This study investigated reader perceptions of evidence strength based on abstract titles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the impact of declarative versus descriptive titles on perceived evidence strength in research abstracts.
- To assess whether declarative titles unduly influence readers' judgments of study conclusions.
Main Methods:
- Participants (medical students/doctors) rated abstracts of a fictitious treatment (Anticox) for a fictitious condition (Green's syndrome).
- Two abstract versions were used: an uncontrolled case series (A1) and a randomized controlled trial (A2).
- Participants were randomized to read A2 with either a descriptive or declarative title and rated treatment effectiveness using visual analogue scales (VAS).
Main Results:
- No significant difference was found in reader confidence between declarative and descriptive title groups.
- The mean difference in VAS scores between the case series and randomized trial abstracts was smaller in the declarative title group (32.6 mm) than the descriptive group (39.8 mm).
Conclusions:
- Declarative titles did not appear to affect readers' perceptions of study conclusions in randomized trials.
- Journal editors' concerns about declarative titles unduly influencing judgments may be unfounded for randomized trial reports.
- Study limitations exist, and findings may not generalize to other research contexts.
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