CORRESPONDENCE: LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Reply
Anthony N. DeMaria, MD, MACC*
* 3655 Nobel Drive, Suite 630, San Diego, California 92122 (Email: ademaria{at}acc.org).
I would like to thank Dr. Karamitsos for his letter and interest in my Editor’s Page articles "How to Get a Manuscript Published" (1,2). Dr. Karamitsos seems to indicate that I had failed to mention the importance of honesty in preparing scientific articles. Honesty is, of course, the basis of everything we do in medicine and is assumed. My sense is that bias that leads to erroneous research is usually detected after, if not before, publication. Although the need to publish or perish is strong, I do not share your suspicion that dishonesty is prevalent in medical investigation. In any event, the peer review system is probably the best way currently available to handle it.
I believe that greater attention to statistics has resulted in a marked reduction of erroneous publications. We have 2 statisticians as Associate Editors who review every manuscript before publication. In the process, they protect us from accepting papers that are flawed. Statistics are imperfect and can obscure as well as enlighten; certainly, statistical significance pales compared with biological significance. However, in my view, the emphasis on statistical methods in medical research in recent years has resulted in a substantial increase in quality. Although I am not a statistical expert myself, I know where to find one.
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References
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- DeMaria AN. How do I get a paper accepted? J Am Coll Cardiol 2007;49:1666-1667.[Free Full Text]
- DeMaria AN. How do I get a paper accepted?Part 2. J Am Coll Cardiol 2007;49:1989-1990.[Free Full Text]
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