1.
Clin Neuropsychol
; 18(3): 449-64, 2004 Aug.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-15739815
ABSTRACT
Recently, Kaiser (2003) raised concerns over the increase in brain damage claims reportedly due to exposure to welding fumes. In the present article, we discuss methodological problems in conducting neuropsychological research on the effects of welding exposure, using a recent paper by Bowler et al. (2003) as an example to illustrate problems common in the neurotoxicity literature. Our analysis highlights difficulties in conducting such quasi-experimental investigations, including subject selection bias, litigation effects on symptom report and neuropsychological test performance, response bias, and scientifically inadequate casual reasoning.