Synopses & Reviews
Textbooks are designed to teach, explain and make complex information easily understood and assimilated. Research papers do the reader no such favours. Being able to understand and use primary research is an essential tool in any scientific career. This book teaches these valuable skills simply and clearly, saving hours in the long run.
Critical Reading explains how to:
- approach every paper methodically
- spot work aimed to support a pet theory
- gain confidence in questioning what you read
- be alert to bias
- use abstracts intelligently
- identify suspect experimental methods
- assess quantitative methodology
- interpret results with confidence
- draw inferences from published work.
Using extracts from published Papers in Focus, this book imparts valuable know-how to students and researchers from any biomedical or biological discipline. The text is easily read and understood and the use of key points, summaries and reference reinforces good technique.
Synopsis
Experienced scientists and medical researchers know how important it is to engage with research literature in an active, critical and analytical way. However in most universities little time is devoted to teaching the relevant skills. Readers who accept scientific papers uncritically may misunderstand results, misinterpret the experimental significance of techniques, over or underestimate the importance of findings and waste time and resources on flawed or unnecessary experiments.
Critical Reading is aimed at everyone who needs to read original research papers in life sciences and medicine: final-year undergraduates, graduate students, research scientists, clinicians and medical researchers. Through a series of clearly focused chapters, the reader is introduced to critical reading skills such as:
- Detection and analysis of spin
- Development of active reading habits
- Evaluation of methods, including qualitative methods
- Scientific analysis and interpretation
This book promotes a balanced, rigorous approach to the literature. It is unique in providing examples and end-of-chapter exercises from a wide range of scientific and clinical disciplines including biochemistry, ecology, immunology and physiology. Principles are extensively illustrated by reference to real papers, which are discussed constructively in the context of the pressures and technical difficulties that face researchers.
The skills Critical Reading imparts will deepen readers' understanding of the research process, increase enjoyment and enhance professional confidence and effectiveness in academic, clinical and commercial settings.