Developing and evaluating an educational intervention on conflicts of interest and corporate influence on science

• DOI: 10.1093/heapro/daaf059
• Publication Date: 2025-05-22T12:30:40Z
• Authors: Alice Fabbri; Iona Fitzpatrick; Sophie Braznell; Tess Legg; Emma Cliffe; Filipa Vance; Dale Topley; Fran Baber; Anna B Gilmore
• Keywords: Bonferroni correction; Post-hoc analysis

Abstract Financial conflicts of interest resulting from corporate funding research can bias the evidence base. We designed an educational intervention that sought to enable participants make informed decisions and mitigate risk when considering for research. used pre/post-test surveys, which comprised a mix closed open-ended questions, evaluate training its impact on knowledge (Wilcoxon signed-rank test), attitudes perceptions (Friedman’s test with planned post hoc tests). Open-ended questions were coded key themes identified. Twenty University Bath (15 PhD students 5 staff) completed pre-test survey attended training, 17 filled in post-test survey, 3-month follow-up survey. All agreed or strongly issues relating conflict presented increased their topic. Participants’ significantly between pre post-measures. Awareness institutional policies participants’ confidence mitigating risks also improved. For other measures impact, either there was not statistically significant difference pre, post, was, but tests after Bonferroni correction. Our findings indicate even short could increase researchers’ ability about whether accept under what conditions.