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…