Essay published in PLoS Medicine, August 2005. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.0020124. The author states that there is increasing concern that most current published research findings are false. The author examines the key factors that influence the problem of false findings and some corollaries. The essay is a great shot in the arm for skepticism.

The essay makes a number of important points:

1. The smaller the studies conducted in a scientific field, the less likely the research findings are to be true.
    
2. The smaller the effect sizes in a scientific field, the less likely the research findings are to be true.
    
3. The greater the number and the fewer the selection of tested relationships in a scientific field, the less likely the research findings are to be true.
    
4. The greater the flexibility in designs, definitions, outcomes, and analytical modes in a scientific field, the less likely the research findings are to be true.
    
5. The greater the financial and other interests and prejudices in a scientific field, the less likely the research findings are to be true.
    
6. The hotter a scientific field (the more scientific teams involved), the less likely the research findings are to be true.