RESEARCH METHODS EXAM 4 EXAM
SCRIPT 2026 COMPREHENSIVE
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
◉ autism and vaccinations
Answer: - arguably the most famous retracted journal article in
history. Andrew Wakefield reported a small study in The Lancet
- his claim suggested that measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR)
vaccinations might cause autism
- wakefield selected participants and changed and manipulated
diagnoses and clinical histories to promote undisclosed financial
interests
- this paper resulted in a rise in measles, serious illness, and some
deaths
◉ testing the peer review process
Answer: a British Medical Journal (BMJ) article deliberately inserted
eight errors into a 600-word report about to be published and then
sent it to 300 reviewers
◉ results
Answer: - the median number or errors spotted was 2
,- 20% of reviewers saw no errors
- major errors were overlooked (methodological weakness,
inaccurate reporting of data, unjustified conclusions, omissions and
inaccurate reporting of data)
◉ who peer reviews papers?
Answer: competitors! the process allows them to anonymously
undermine your work (anonymity is protected, process assumes
that peer reviewers will act ethically)
*not collaborators because they have a conflict of interest
◉ why should you be a peer reviewer?
Answer: - moral obligation
- opportunity to see cutting-edge research
- opportunity for networking
◉ BMJ peer review process
Answer: - 7000 research papers, 7% accepted
- 400-500 to weekly manuscript meeting attended by the Editor, an
external editorial adviser (a specialist or primary care doctor) and a
statistician..
- and the full team of BMJ research editors, plus the BMJ clinical
epidemiology editor
- 350 research articles accepted, usually after revision
, - value added by commissioned editorials and commentaries
◉ Approximate numbers at each stage
Answer: - 1000 rejected by one editor within 48 hours
- Further 3000 rejected with second editor
- Within one week of submission 3000 read by senior editor; further
1500 rejected
- 1500 sent to two reviewers; then 500 more rejected
- 1000 screened by clinical epidemiology editor and more rejected
◉ what do editors want from papers?
Answer: - Originality (Novelty)
- Clear and engaging writing
- Importance (Significance)
- Relevance to readers
- Contribution
- Usefulness to readers and, ultimately, to patients
- Truth
- Excitement/ "wow" factor
◉ Is the research novel?
Answer: - Literature review is needed
SCRIPT 2026 COMPREHENSIVE
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
◉ autism and vaccinations
Answer: - arguably the most famous retracted journal article in
history. Andrew Wakefield reported a small study in The Lancet
- his claim suggested that measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR)
vaccinations might cause autism
- wakefield selected participants and changed and manipulated
diagnoses and clinical histories to promote undisclosed financial
interests
- this paper resulted in a rise in measles, serious illness, and some
deaths
◉ testing the peer review process
Answer: a British Medical Journal (BMJ) article deliberately inserted
eight errors into a 600-word report about to be published and then
sent it to 300 reviewers
◉ results
Answer: - the median number or errors spotted was 2
,- 20% of reviewers saw no errors
- major errors were overlooked (methodological weakness,
inaccurate reporting of data, unjustified conclusions, omissions and
inaccurate reporting of data)
◉ who peer reviews papers?
Answer: competitors! the process allows them to anonymously
undermine your work (anonymity is protected, process assumes
that peer reviewers will act ethically)
*not collaborators because they have a conflict of interest
◉ why should you be a peer reviewer?
Answer: - moral obligation
- opportunity to see cutting-edge research
- opportunity for networking
◉ BMJ peer review process
Answer: - 7000 research papers, 7% accepted
- 400-500 to weekly manuscript meeting attended by the Editor, an
external editorial adviser (a specialist or primary care doctor) and a
statistician..
- and the full team of BMJ research editors, plus the BMJ clinical
epidemiology editor
- 350 research articles accepted, usually after revision
, - value added by commissioned editorials and commentaries
◉ Approximate numbers at each stage
Answer: - 1000 rejected by one editor within 48 hours
- Further 3000 rejected with second editor
- Within one week of submission 3000 read by senior editor; further
1500 rejected
- 1500 sent to two reviewers; then 500 more rejected
- 1000 screened by clinical epidemiology editor and more rejected
◉ what do editors want from papers?
Answer: - Originality (Novelty)
- Clear and engaging writing
- Importance (Significance)
- Relevance to readers
- Contribution
- Usefulness to readers and, ultimately, to patients
- Truth
- Excitement/ "wow" factor
◉ Is the research novel?
Answer: - Literature review is needed
