Trials benefit from acronyms
Executive Summary
Naming randomized trials with acronyms may enhance citation rate after publication, according to a study published in the July 6 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. Acronym-named randomized trials published between 1953 and 2003 were cited at twice the rate of trials not named with acronyms. Trial acronyms may have subliminal influences "since specific acronyms could invoke subconscious value-laden associations that might enhance positive perceptions of the studies they name," study authors note...