Too much health and medical research may be unnecessary, unethical, unscientific, and wasteful, warns new network
Researchers, research funders, regulators, sponsors and publishers of research fail to use earlier research when preparing to start, fund or publish the results of new studies. To embark on research without systematically reviewing evidence of what is already known, particularly when the research involves people or animals, is unethical, unscientific, and wasteful.
To address this problem a group of Norwegian and Danish researchers have initiated an international network, the ‘Evidence-Based Research Network’ (EBRNetwork). The EBRNetwork brings together initial partners from Australia, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, the UK, and USA, and was established in Bergen, Norway in December 2014.
At the ‘Bergen meeting’ partners agreed the aim of the EBRNetwork is to reduce waste in research by promoting:
No new studies without prior systematic review of existing evidence
Efficient production, updating and dissemination of systematic reviews
The EBRNetwork now issues a call for interested individuals and organizations to join the EBRNetwork and work together in developing a consensus statement to address this challenge to the very heart and values of research.
To become a member of the EBRNetwork please contact info@ebrnetwork.org
http://ebrnetwork.org
Follow us on Twitter @EBRNetwork
For further information:
[Hans Lund, Professor, +45 257 211 25, hans.lund@ebrnetwork.org]