How many times have we all knocked our heads against the wall because of the chilly reception given to good data produced in association with supplement company sponsorship? Health reporters or scientific groups many times give short shrift to findings--even published research--that is generated through private-company funding.

Well, a New York Times blog offering today shows that maybe the perception could change. The blogger, John Tierney, cites a new report in the International Journal of Obesity that shows industry-funded research in the obesity field is many times of better quality than purely institutional-sponsored research.

Here's the link to the story: NYTimes: ?Misleading? Research From Industry?

A Wall Street Journal Blog piece several weeks ago talked about university budgets being pinched, and how that would affect medical research. I commented on that blog that academic research could not happen on the scale it does without private company funding. Don't get me wrong; some companies may not get it, and try to steer every step of a trial toward a desired outcome. Hopefully, those companies are few, and the respected research venues will reject them at every turn. But for those firms who want to help broaden the knowledge base in a field or even in a specific application, and are willing to accept results that are favorable, unfavorable or inconclusive, there should be a place at the public investigative table for them.

For more by Craig, check out www.planningandwriting.com, or contact him at craig@planningandwriting.com