In io9, John Bohannon describes how he conducted a poorly designed study of chocolate and weight loss, got it published in a journal, issued a press release, and watched as the story was covered by news media reaching millions of people. On Retraction Watch and NPR, Gary Schwitzer of HealthNewsReview.org comments on lessons from the story.
I Fooled Millions Into Thinking Chocolate Helps Weight Loss. Here’s How. (io9, May 27, 2015)
Should the chocolate-diet sting study be retracted? And why the coverage doesn’t surprise a news watchdog (Retraction Watch, May 28, 2015)
Why A Journalist Scammed The Media Into Spreading Bad Chocolate Science (NPR, May 28, 2015)
