Critically Analysing Studies and Reports
When analysing the studies and reports with provide findings, consider the following:
Who funded the study or report
Is it industry funded or independently funded? If the industry funded the study, it most likely will report positive findings to increase sales.
For example, 133 articles about the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and their impact on people's health were analysed. Essentially the conclusion was that industry-related studies were overwhelmingly more likely to conclude that there were no or little negative effects of sugar-sweetend beverage on health, compared to independent studies. (Read more here: Source of Bias in Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Research: A Systematic Review - PMC (nih.gov))
The methodology of the study
How big was the sample size?
Who funded the study or report
Is it industry funded or independently funded? If the industry funded the study, it most likely will report positive findings to increase sales.
For example, 133 articles about the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and their impact on people's health were analysed. Essentially the conclusion was that industry-related studies were overwhelmingly more likely to conclude that there were no or little negative effects of sugar-sweetend beverage on health, compared to independent studies. (Read more here: Source of Bias in Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Research: A Systematic Review - PMC (nih.gov))
The methodology of the study
How big was the sample size?