Product category:
Engineering Industry Reports and Surveys
News Release from: Institution of Engineering and Technology
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 19 May 2006
Premature publication endangers public
confidence
Public confidence in scientific research into the health effects of electricity is being undermined by the pressure on scientists to publish their findings before they are thoroughly tested.
Europe's largest engineering institution the IET (Institution of Engineering and Technology) has warned that public confidence in scientific research into the health effects of electricity is being undermined by the pressure on scientists to publish their findings before they are thoroughly tested The warning comes as the IET Biological Effects Policy Advisory Group released its latest policy position on possible harmful effects of electromagnetic fields such as power line and mobile phone masts
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 17 Oct 2007 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Web database provides research help
The Inspec Direct platform will be commercially available on 1st January, 2008 and starting today researchers and information professionals are invited to trial the new platform for free.
CAE technology conference attracts big guns
This year's Altair Technology Conference will take place on 2nd November at the Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon.
Jargon buster cuts through the ATEX jungle
ABB has published an "ATEX jargon buster" that helps motor users cut through the jungle of terms and definitions that make up the new ATEX Directives.
The report highlights concerns over the failure to replicate high profile studies, which, the group says, indicates a likely weakness of much of the existing literature.
It also says that a number of earlier studies into health effects of power lines may have erroneously heightened public anxiety.
Professor Tony Barker, Chairman of the Group said: "Scientists have an over-riding responsibility to ensure that their findings are robust before publication, notwithstanding the various pressures to publish their work".
"Replication of studies is essential in order to improve the robustness of existing literature and findings from studies that have yet to be replicated should be treated with caution until confirmed by independent groups".
"Dramatic findings from individual studies often receive widespread publicity and can heighten public concern, but subsequently turn out to be erroneous".
In the mobile communications sector the UK Mobile Telecommunications and Health Research programmes have gone some way to addressing this problem, with about 30 research programmes being funded.
The first three studies to be published failed to confirm the findings of the original work on which they were based. Request free introductory details about products from Institution of Engineering and Technology ...
• Institution of Engineering and Technology: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Engineeringtalk email newsletter
• Engineeringtalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
