What was the question?
Look for the aim before the conclusion. A study of a mechanism asks a different question from a study of outcomes in people.
02 / A FIELD GUIDE TO EVIDENCE
Read beyond
the headline.
A paper is a starting point for questions. Here is a practical way to read it, from the study question to what the results can actually tell us.
Start with five questions ↓
KEEP THESE IN MIND
Five questions.
A clearer picture.
Who or what was studied?
Identify whether the work involved cells, animals or people. If people were involved, note the group, its size and the study duration.
Compared with what?
Find the comparison group and how it was chosen. A change over time and a difference between groups are not the same result.
What was actually measured?
Read the measured outcome, not just the headline. A laboratory marker, a reported symptom and a clinical outcome describe different things.
What is missing?
Read the limitations, adverse events and funding disclosures. Check whether other studies support the result and which questions remain open.
WORDS WORTH DISTINGUISHING
A signal is not a conclusion.
“Associated with” describes a relationship. “Causes” makes a stronger claim. “Promising” describes a reason to investigate further. Read the wording with the study design in mind.
Put the guide into practice.
Our compound guides bring together research aims, selected findings, limitations and links to original sources. They are educational overviews, not systematic reviews or treatment recommendations.
Explore the research guides