I`ve got a question for Acadimians

Hi,

I am watching, a John Oliver Episode, where he talks about studies being misquoted, simplified and distorted by the media. I never went to University, but I am fact oriented and I noticed that Articles tend to use the phrase "studies show that....". I want to educate myself on the basics of Studies, how to read studies, the very basic principles and function of science, what are good and bad studies.

I am not a scientist, but I think I need basic compentence and knowledge.

Can you recommend, yt videos, books, articles anything remotely related to that subject(s)?

Please recommend stuff that is written more in "normal language" not so much in "scientific language"?

In short, read the abstract, which is the text right at the top or on the front-page if it's paper form in which the subject and the purpose of the study is explained, then skip to the end where they make the conclusion on whether the abstract was correct or not.

You'll get a lot of info through in a short time this way.

In theory there should be no good or bad studies, only more and less useful ones. Namely, socially geared education (the fields that deal with humans, society etc etc) have been exaggerated in recent times at the expense of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), so as a result it's easier to get a job in a STEM environment for a better pay.

That said, psychological, sociological studies are very interesting to read. More interesting than anything STEM related unless it's about some fantastic breakthrough that borders on the sci-fi. At least for me. The articles you mention most likely contain studies from the social oriented fields. Those are basically either questionnaire driven polls or they go data mining through some database to extrapolate trends.

When you want to study something, decide what you like first. Through the years a particular subject becomes so complex that really, it's best if you're interested in it with a passion rather than just because you feel you kinda like it or some bs external pressures like reputation. It's easier this way.

You will learn "scientific language" or at least some basics of it just by reading. I'm not a native English speaker but often when i'm seriously talking my tone (the way i write) comes from my weekly reading of The Economist newspaper and some interactions with ppl you need to be nice to in English. Whenever i have to write something professionally in English i use it as well. Or at least i try. 😛

Posted by Ixion
Also please be aware the bias put out against social sciences is unwarranted especially coming from a lay person^

There you go, making stuff up again. The chip on your shoulder is so big you need a bra.

Are you on FB?

Start following:

Hashem Al-Ghaili This guy is amazing)

New Scientist (some without subscription)

The New York Times - Science

Big Think

Selfhacked.com

Futurism Energy

You cannot have your cake and eat it. Aka understand research articles, but be something else than a scientist.

What you need to do is reading serious magazines about science.

Also, if I were to put what distinguishes good from bad science in one word, it would be "controls"

Aka negative and positive controls.

Google them

Posted by Parkourler

Hi,

I am watching, a John Oliver Episode, where he talks about studies being misquoted, simplified and distorted by the media. I never went to University, but I am fact oriented and I noticed that Articles tend to use the phrase "studies show that....". I want to educate myself on the basics of Studies, how to read studies, the very basic principles and function of science, what are good and bad studies.

I am not a scientist, but I think I need basic compentence and knowledge.

Can you recommend, yt videos, books, articles anything remotely related to that subject(s)?

Please recommend stuff that is written more in "normal language" not so much in "scientific language"?

as somebody mentioned, a clear methodology, how the research was conducted and carried out, is a must. Conclusions should be compared to similar studies and quoted. Limitations of the research should be stated.

the phrase "studies show that" is pointless, if there is not a link to those exact studies (naming them) and some critical thinking involved