Can academic and clinical journals be in financial conflict of interest situations? The case of evidence-based incorporated

Authors: Upshur, Ross; Buetow, Stephen¹; Loughlin, Michael²; Miles, Andrew

Source: Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice, Volume 12, Number 4, August 2006 , pp. 405-409(5)

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Abstract:

The hypothesis is advanced that scholarly journals can find themselves in conflict of interest positions when they operate business strategies which for commercial reasons may militate against the publication of articles which question the usefulness of the products being sold. It is suggested on the basis of probabilistic reasoning that the more extensive the merchandizing and the greater the commercial profits, the greater is the potential for conflict of interest. The alternative hypothesis is advanced that such a conflict of interest position cannot possibly exist. The current Hypothesis paper is published in order to stimulate debate on the subject of study. The reader is referred to the Editor's Note p. 395.

Keywords: BMJ Books; commodification; conflicts of interest; evidence-based medicine; open discourse; medical journals

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2753.2006.00727.x

Affiliations: 1: Senior Research Fellow, Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand 2: Reader in Philosophy, Manchester Metropolitan University, Crewe, UK

Publication date: 2006-08-01