Table 4 Research design explanations in Canadian, United Kingdom, and United States newspapers
From: Ocular gene transfer in the spotlight: implications of newspaper content for clinical communications
Research design explanations | Percent (%) of articles | P-valuea | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|  | Canada (n = 26) | United Kingdom (n = 77) | United States (n = 55) |  |
Gene transfer is research | Â | Â | Â | 0.069 |
  Clearly mentioned | 23 | 39 | 47 |  |
  Mentioned, but research/treatment conflation | 77 | 51 | 45 |  |
Sample sizes stated | 42 | 29 | 40 | 0.274 |
Phase of clinical trial | Â | Â | Â | 0.000* |
  Mentioned | 4 | 3 | 5 |  |
  Not applicable | 27 | 0 | 0 |  |
Gene mutation causes genetic retinopathies | 77 | 48 | 71 | 0.006* |
Working copy of mutated gene is transferred to ameliorate disease phenotype | Â | Â | Â | 0.000* |
  Mentioned with accuracy | 58 | 53 | 21 |  |
  Mentioned, but incorrect/misleading terminology (e.g. Gene replacement) | 15 | 3 | 18 |  |
Viral vector transports the gene of interest | Â | Â | Â | 0.078 |
  Explained accurately | 35 | 23 | 18 |  |
  Explained, but viral modification not mentioned | 23 | 8 | 13 |  |
Working gene is transferred to the back of the eye | 65 | 61 | 38 | 0.015* |
Gene transfer involves eye surgery | 62 | 56 | 38 | 0.063 |