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Part V: Statistical Studies and the Hunt for a Meaningful Relationship
✓ Go through the report and evaluate the experiment according to the
eight steps for a good experiment described in the “Designing a Good
Experiment” section of this chapter. (You really don’t have to under-
stand everything written in a report in order to do that.)
✓ Carefully scrutinize the conclusions that the researcher makes regard-
ing his or her findings. Many researchers tend to overstate results,
make conclusions beyond the statistical evidence, or try to apply their
results to a broader population than the one they studied.
✓ Never be afraid to ask questions of the media, the researchers, and
even your own experts. For example, if you have a question about a
medical study, ask your doctor. He or she will be glad that you’re an
empowered and well-informed patient!
✓ And finally, don’t get overly skeptical, just because you’re now a lot
more aware of all the bad practices going on out there. Not everything
is bad. There are many more good researchers, credible results, and
well-informed reporters than not. You have to maintain a sense of being
cautious and ready to spot problems without discounting everything.

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