Conflict of interest

Conflict of interest and transparency

The Core-Test studies are conducted by Freeyourbase, which develops applications in the field of psychological self-help. The study lead is also the developer of the applications used and the originator of the measurement procedure under investigation.

This constitutes a commercial interest in the outcome of the studies. We consider this material and state it here in full rather than burying it in a footnote.

How we address it

All studies are publicly preregistered before data collection begins. Hypotheses, analysis procedures and thresholds are therefore fixed before any data exists, which makes post-hoc adjustment toward a desired result traceable and excluded. Registrations are linked on each study page.

We publish results regardless of whether they support our assumptions. Studies that contradict our expectations are documented as fully as those that confirm them.

Participation is free and not tied to any purchase.

What this means for evaluating the results

A conflict of interest does not make findings wrong, but it is grounds for closer scrutiny. We therefore publish protocols and analysis paths openly so that our conclusions can be traced and checked. For questions about methodology: [contact]