What to ask when reading scientific studies reported in the media to spot flaws
When I see a headline about a new scientific study, my first reflex isn't excitement — it's curiosity. As a reader and editor, I've learned that the real story is often in the details journalists don't always have room to print. Over the years I’ve developed a set of practical questions I ask myself to decide whether a study deserves attention, caution, or outright skepticism. Here’s the checklist I use and explain to readers so you can...