Note: Today’s post is a partial reprint of the latest article from the new Science Defined Blog. Click on the button below to read the full article:
Imagine you’re on your computer with a web browser open and are trying to look something up.
That is probably not much of a stretch considering you are likely reading this on some kind of computer or device within a web browser.
Now, let’s say what you are looking up leads you to a complex scientific study. You know, the ones with all the crazy technical jargon.
This will likely result in you opening up approximately 15-20 tabs to search the definitions of all of the different terms.
Talk about overwhelming and time consuming. I can see why someone would become discouraged before even getting to the point where they can understand the study.
That said, learning how to read complex scientific studies is a powerful tool and will go a long way towards helping you become your own health advocate.
Read on to find out how we can help you to push through.
How can reading scientific papers drive my health decisions?
Just look at how much scientific information that has been thrown at us the last three years.
To say that it is overwhelming is putting it lightly.
While intimidating and time consuming to read, scientific papers and other literature are a terrific source of information.
We are most empowered to be our own health advocates when we have the knowledge to back up our decisions.
However, understanding these resources is not about having an advanced degree or years of experience.
It’s about how you approach and break them down into something more digestible.
What’s the best way to eat a big bowl of pasta with marinara sauce and meatballs?
Take small bites!
If I try to eat it all at once or too fast then I might get sick.
Same goes for reading scientific articles.
If I don’t know where to start and can’t break it down into something more manageable then I might become frustrated and walk away.
And I want you to be able to determine for yourself whether the findings in a given paper are valid and relevant to what you are researching.
My goal is to help you succeed.
So, I have put together 5 tips to get you started with reading scientific papers.
Let’s dig in!
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So, moving forward each new Still in the Storm post will end with an inspiring prompt to get you started. Submit a comment below to join the conversation.
Today’s prompt(s):
Have you ever tried reading a scientific article?
If so, how did it go?
If not, what’s holding you up?
What do you see as the biggest barrier to gaining information from a scientific article?
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The single most important thing to master before reading scientific papers is the development of a BS filter strong enough to resist the onslaught of scientism in the genre of professional publications.
"It is simply no longer possible to believe much of the clinical research that is published, or to rely on the judgment of trusted physicians or authoritative medical guidelines. I take no pleasure in this conclusion, which I reached slowly and reluctantly over my two decades as an editor of The New England Journal of Medicine." Dr. Marcia Angell