Research into smoking or nicotine and human cognitive performance: does the source of funding make a difference?

Authors: Turner C.; Spilich G. J.

Source: Addiction, Volume 92, Number 11, 1 November 1997 , pp. 1423-1426(4)

Publisher: Carfax Publishing, part of the Taylor & Francis Group

Buy & download fulltext article:

Price: $42.29 plus tax (Refund Policy)

Abstract:

Aims. To establish whether there is a relationship between tobacco industry support of basic research and the conclusions drawn by the authors of that research. Design. effects of tobacco or nicotine use upon cognitive performance was analyzed to see if the pattern of conclusions drawn by researchers acknowledging tobacco industry support differed from the pattern of conclusions drawn by researchers not acknowledging tobacco industry support. Findings. industry support reported typically that nicotine or smoking improved cognitive performance while researchers not reporting the financial support of the tobacco industry were more nearly split on their conclusions. Conclusions. While it is only possible to speculate on the possible reasons, the existence of a possible bias in the published literature according to funding source must be given serious consideration. A sample of 91 papers investigating the Scientists acknowledging tobacco

Language: English

Document Type: Research article

Publication date: 1997-11-01