I just listened to the following podcast, which I found very interesting and informative. The topic is medical research, but there are lessons for economic research. You can download it at iTunes or at the link below. Enjoy!
Why do so many medical practices that begin with such promise and confidence turn out to be either ineffective at best or harmful at worst? Adam Cifu of the University of Chicago’s School of Medicine and co-author (Vinayak Prasad) of Ending Medical Reversal explores this question with EconTalk host Russ Roberts. Cifu shows that medical reversal–the discovery that prescribed medical practices are ineffective or harmful–is distressingly common. He contrasts the different types of evidence that support or discourage various medical practices and discusses the cultural challenges doctors face in turning away from techniques they have used for many years.
“Adam Cifu on Ending Medical Reversal“, EconTalk Episode hosted by Russ Roberts, 15 February 2016.