Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Parachute use to prevent death and major trauma related to gravitational challenge
In science, as in every other endeavor, it is imperative to maintain a sense of humor. When telling a joke - particularly a long, complicated one - it is also particularly crucial to keep a straight face.
Smith and Pell are right to target the billowing ranks of the RCT Gestapo for a good mocking. The Randomized Controlled Trial is the gold standard for medical interventions (and many other research endeavors) for many good reasons. It is not, as some seem convinced, the only way to do things. Their mocking study is brilliant, up till about two-thirds of the way through, when they seem to give up the pretense and start smirking. It's less funny than when you are still wondering if they're serious.
Smith and Pell are right to target the billowing ranks of the RCT Gestapo for a good mocking. The Randomized Controlled Trial is the gold standard for medical interventions (and many other research endeavors) for many good reasons. It is not, as some seem convinced, the only way to do things. Their mocking study is brilliant, up till about two-thirds of the way through, when they seem to give up the pretense and start smirking. It's less funny than when you are still wondering if they're serious.
