How to Read Academic Research like a Lazy Pro
Time saving tips when evaluating research
This is a newsletter. It’s about health related topics. I'm a psychiatrist, when I am not writing this! Todays piece is educational content to help my readers save time when looking at science. People ask me to look at research studies all the time:
“Have you seen that study?”
Yes, I've seen that study. How do I get through all the research? I use some simple tricks to save a lot of time. I'm going to share some of them with you today!
Science articles have a predictable format. The first thing I do is…
NEVER READ THE WHOLE PAPER.
Original Research has the following format:
Abstract: Read this.
Introduction: Do not read this.
Methods: Read this carefully! If there are no red flags…
Results: Read this!
Discussion: Don’t read this.
Conclusion: Don’t read this.
I have just reduced the amount you need to read by a lot.
Now, since you have no reason to trust me, I will have to waste both our time justifying my advice above. So be it!
Abstract: This is very short. It will summarize what the r…