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image/svg+xml Jakob Voss, based on art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina and Beao Closed Access logo, derived from PLoS Open Access logo. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Closed_Access_logo_transparent.svg Jakob Voss, based on art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina and Beao Psychological Report...arrow_drop_down
image/svg+xml Jakob Voss, based on art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina and Beao Closed Access logo, derived from PLoS Open Access logo. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Closed_Access_logo_transparent.svg Jakob Voss, based on art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina and Beao
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Considering the Preponderance of Evidence: A Reply to Cummings

Authors: C J, Braukmann; B D, Belden; M M, Wolf;

Considering the Preponderance of Evidence: A Reply to Cummings

Abstract

Cummings's 1985 response to our prior article suggests that the American Psychological Association was justified in not adequately describing or qualifying medical-cost-offset research findings, because the “preponderance of evidence” in the over-all literature is “quite persuasive.” We argue in return that one's willingness to accept a body of evidence as persuasive does not excuse one from providing important qualifications for findings, especially when significant threats to validity exist. We question whether the evidence is indeed persuasive. A review of the evidence suggests that the potential for serious regression and selection biases is not limited to the studies described in the APA document. Cummings acknowledges that studies of offset have weaknesses but argues that collectively they provide evidence analogous to that establishing a causal link between smoking and disease. On the contrary, as we describe, the evidence linking smoking and disease is vastly stronger. We do not find compelling the analogy pairing the Surgeon General's conclusion about smoking with a government agency's report concluding that psychological care reduces medical costs. We appreciate that one would not want to use a no-treatment control group in the kind of research Cummings is currently conducting, but there may be alternative, quasi-experimental designs which allow testing for absolute effects while controlling for possible regression.

Related Organizations
Keywords

Psychotherapy, Research Design, Cost-Benefit Analysis, Humans

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
Average
Average
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