I’m sure that part of this is practice. If I spend more time critically reading scientific literature, and less time taking experts at face value, I will likely become better able to think independently.
However, part of it strikes me as a lack of technical skills. I’m often unsure how to critique study designs when I don’t understand the statistical methods being used.
Any recommendations for how I might get the skills I need to think independently about scientific/medical literature?
[Edit: Changed formatting of links after a comment]
[Question] How to improve at critical thinking on science/medical literature?
I’m a medical student, and I will often read articles that are critical of scientific literature (Scott Alexander on Pharmacogenomics; EMCrit on thrombolysis in ischemic stroke, etc.) with some awe at the authors’ ability to evaluate evidence.
I’m sure that part of this is practice. If I spend more time critically reading scientific literature, and less time taking experts at face value, I will likely become better able to think independently.
However, part of it strikes me as a lack of technical skills. I’m often unsure how to critique study designs when I don’t understand the statistical methods being used.
Any recommendations for how I might get the skills I need to think independently about scientific/medical literature?
[Edit: Changed formatting of links after a comment]