Glory be! Researchers at University College in London think that ill people shouldn't go to work. Bed-rest when ill? What a radical thought!
Sarcasm aside, I think research of this sort accomplishes very little.
- Conclusions are often obvious to the point of silliness
- Connections between cause and effect are tenuous at best
- Research gets a bad name -- I consider this type of study pseudo science
- Think of the money and time wasted in conducting studies of this nature. [Step 1: Hypothesise something that the whole world already agrees about. Step 2: Pretend to prove it, when either the hypothesis is not provable or proof is superfluous. Step 3: Announce the conclusions in major media as cutting-edge research.]
- Even worse, think of the impact on people that begin to worry about heart attacks each time they feel a sniffle coming on.
Another study that found a mention here, found a link between exercise and business performance. Doh! I completely agree with the first two comments for that post. Excerpt:
Be careful not to confuse data with a conclusion. Running and weight training are probably not important factors here, it is more likely that the important nugget is that the motivation, dedication and perseverence required to run and weight train *consistantly* are also important elements of being a successful entrepreneur.
I think I should author a study on how my typing speed affects stock market prices.
