| Virtually, all nutrition studies are funded, with the | | | | large amounts of funding to conduct this study |
| party funding the study having a preconceived | | | | and your reported results tend to contradict the |
| desired outcome. Since the study costs money, | | | | desired outcome most likely funding will be pulled |
| the person funding the study in many cases | | | | and there is a likelihood that you may not receive |
| hopes to use the results as a marketing tool. | | | | future grants to conduct future studies. |
| Thus the person funding the study desires a | | | | This is an inherent flaw in most studies for which |
| desired result. Hence, data that goes against a | | | | this author has no definitive answer to always |
| desired result may be excluded from the final | | | | produce studies with true objectivity. So, what is |
| study results. Other things and aspects to | | | | the purpose of this article. |
| consider are the people conducting any particular | | | | Simply to make the reader aware that when a |
| study. For example, let us say that a university or | | | | study comes out talking about let us say, "the |
| a research agency or laboratory is given funding | | | | harmful effects of coffee or tea or soy." Or |
| to study global warming. And let us say the | | | | promoting a particular form of diet, simply be |
| people funding this study wanted the outcome of | | | | aware that there are usually financial interests |
| the study to show man is causing global warming. | | | | behind the positive and or negative results of the |
| If so then you as a researcher are faced with | | | | study. In conclusion, look for other studies that |
| several decisions. Do you exclude information that | | | | may support a conflicting view of the topic at |
| goes against the desired result? And risk loss of | | | | hand and use sound reasoning to weigh the sited |
| study funding? Or do you simply sweep such data | | | | evidence. For example, say you you are shopping |
| under the rug? | | | | for nutrition supplements and you read the |
| Usually the research group conducting the study | | | | reviews, and you find a few negative but the |
| will know the desired outcome that is trying to be | | | | majority of the reviews are positive. Thus, it is |
| proven before the study begins. The group is | | | | probably a good supplement. On the other hand, if |
| looking for evidence and support for an ultimate | | | | most reviews are negative it's probably a |
| desired objective and may tend to ignore | | | | supplement to avoid. And one last thing to |
| evidence that goes against the pre-desired study | | | | consider about reviews is who is saying what |
| outcome. So why would a study agency tend to | | | | about the product. And what their bias or lack of |
| do this? Well, consider this; if you are receiving | | | | bias might be. |