A Parent's Guide To Reading A Scientific Study
Five questions to ask before you share a headline that starts with “science says”.
“Science says…” is the start of a claim, not the end of one. Before sharing, ask: who was studied, how many, what was measured, compared to what, and who paid for it?[1]
1. Who was studied?
A result in one group may not hold in another. Check the sample before you check the conclusion.
““Science says…” is the start of a claim, not the end of one.”
2. What was actually measured?
Headlines often describe what a study suggests, not what it measured. The methods section tells you the difference.[2]
Sources
- [Author], [Journal], [Year]. doi:[…]
- [Guide], [Organisation], [Year].
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