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Equal treatment: bestowed or earned?
1Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
Annals of Epidemiology
|November 14, 1997
Summary
Epidemiologists face bias challenges. While scrutiny of industry-based researchers is sometimes warranted, all epidemiologists must remain vigilant against bias, fostering trust through acceptance and exemplary conduct.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Scientific Ethics
Background:
- Non-industry epidemiologists often scrutinize industry-based colleagues more rigorously.
- This scrutiny is sometimes justified due to potential conflicts of interest.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the basis for increased scrutiny of industry-employed epidemiologists.
- To advocate for ongoing vigilance and bias correction among all epidemiologists.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of ethical guidelines incorporating principles against bias.
- Examination of employment conditions and their potential impact on scientific impartiality.
Main Results:
- Ethical guidelines now address the impropriety of bias in epidemiological research.
- Industry-based epidemiologists may face greater challenges in avoiding corporate bias.
- Past instances of bias have led to existing skepticism towards industry-affiliated researchers.
Conclusions:
- Both industry and non-industry epidemiologists must actively correct ingrained biases.
- Building trust requires greater acceptance from non-industry researchers and exemplary conduct from industry researchers.