Scientifically decorative refers to a type of research or publication that appears rigorous or sophisticated on the surface — often due to the use of advanced techniques, elaborate visuals, or extensive references — but lacks genuine explanatory power, clinical relevance, or conceptual depth.

• Heavy use of molecular techniques or statistical tools without a clear mechanistic hypothesis
• Impressive graphics or immunohistochemistry with little interpretation or clinical application
• Conclusions that are speculative, correlative, or already presumed
• Adds volume, not value, to the literature

“The study is scientifically decorative — it stains well, but explains little.”

Often used in critical reviews to denote work that contributes to metrics but not to medicine.

• Mechanistically sound
• Clinically actionable
• Hypothesis-driven