Data fabrication in Chinese scientific research described as an 'open secret'

Edzard

5d ago· 5 min readenOpinion

92/100

Golden Brown

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Crackling crust, pillowy middle. The kind of bagel that earns a second cup of coffee.

Score92TypeopinionSentimentvery negative

Summary

The article discusses the widespread issue of data fabrication in Chinese scientific research, describing it as an "open secret." It highlights that nearly all hypothesis-testing research from China reports positive findings, which is statistically implausible and suggests systematic fraud. The author warns readers to be skeptical of Chinese studies and points to a culture where researchers face pressure to produce positive results, with weak oversight and consequences for misconduct.

Key quotes

· 3 pulled

Data fabrication in China is an 'open secret'

Imagine an area of therapeutics where 100% of all findings of hypothesis-testing research are positive

Theoretically, this could mean that the therapy is a miracle cure which is useful for every single condition in every single setting. But sadly, there are no miracle cures.

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I have warned you before to be sceptical about Chinese studies. This is what I posted on this blog more than 2 years ago, for instance: Imagine an area of therapeutics where 100% of all findings of hypothesis-testing research are positive, i.e. come to th