Reading and learning things on the internet can be daunting. Which is right? Which is wrong? It can sometimes be overwhelming. And it’s this exact overwhelm that’s causing some people to get discouraged to learn more about what they want to be better at.
They get discouraged by all the information stated that they don’t know where to start anymore; They get discouraged by the amount of work needed to be done and the resources that need to be spent; They get discouraged by the seemingly unbelievable results that people achieve when they’ve done exactly what they did.
The way you research can make or break your fat loss journey. With our advanced technology nowadays, there is a lot of information, diet guides, and weight tips out there. These free resources often lack credibility and that’s why it’s always best to read on research papers and journals so you know that your knowledge is based on facts – and only verified facts.
Anyway, for me, the best way to learn new methods and findings is by reading research papers and do a mental lit review.
I’d like to share some tips you can follow do in order to filter out only good quality paper so you can smoothly plan your weight loss journey towards success that’s meant for long term. Follow the steps below in order to learn how to spot a good or bad research paper, so you avoid applying the latter’s implications to your fat loss journey.
HOW TO SPOT A GOOD OR BAD RESEARCH PAPER?
1. WHEN RESEARCHING, LOOK FOR:
a. Outcomes, interventions, and populations that are useful and meaningful
Ask yourself if the article speaks to an outcome you’re looking to change, includes an intervention that fits with your resources, and attends the needs of the population that you work with.
b. Peer-reviewed journals
Not all published studies have been reviewed by other experts. If a study is presented in a peer-reviewed source at least you know that someone else has made some sort of quality assessment.
2. WITH THE ARTICLE ON HAND, LOOK FOR:
a. A detailed description of the statistics that were used
Even when you don’t fully understand the statistics involved, good articles should explain which ones they used for all analyses in the results section and should give a written description of the clinical implications for their findings. And also justify why they chose them.
b. A detailed description of the methods that were used
A good research article will describe in detail what the researcher did, with whom, and for how long. You can’t be left guessing at any of the details, so if that happens, be suspicious. Also, remember that studies with very small samples (less than 30 people) are generally less reliable.
c. Statistical significance and clinical significance
Statistical significance means that there’s a real relationship involved in whatever it’s the researchers measured. Clinical significance is the identification if it makes a difference or not, sometimes the effect can be real, but not meaningful.
d. Cautious conclusions
Any conclusions made by the authors should be consumed carefully. Observe if they start sounding like they’ve uncovered an absolute truth because if this is the case, they’re probably overstepping their boundaries.
Do you need someone to help you filter out the noise and stick to what works? I’m doing some workshops that you might be interested in. Do feel free to DM ya?