In previous posts, I explained the challenges of making sense of research and introduced 8 questions that will help readers evaluate evidence and relevance to their work, goals, and lives. Today is question #6. 8) What questions does the study not answer? No study can answer every question, nor should any study seek to every … Continue reading A consumer’s guide to research on substance use disorders (part 9)

In previous posts, I explained the challenges of making sense of research and introduced 8 questions that will help readers evaluate evidence and relevance to their work, goals, and lives. Today is question #7. 7) Were there any conflicts of interest (real or potential)? A conflict of interest is a situation in which financial or … Continue reading A consumer’s guide to research on substance use disorders (part 8)

In previous posts, I explained the challenges of making sense of research and introduced 8 questions that will help readers evaluate evidence and relevance to their work, goals, and lives. Today is question #6. 6) What were the actual findings and does the authors’ discussion accurately represent the findings? This sounds very straightforward, but it … Continue reading A consumer’s guide to research on substance use disorders (part 7)

In previous posts, I explained the challenges of making sense of research and introduced 8 questions that will help readers evaluate evidence and relevance to their work, goals, and lives. Today is question #5. 5) What were the study methods? There are many approaches used in SUD research and each approach offers advantages and disadvantages … Continue reading A consumer’s guide to research on substance use disorders (part 6)

In previous posts, I explained the challenges of making sense of research and introduced 8 questions that will help readers evaluate evidence and relevance to their work, goals, and lives. Today is question #4. 4) What outcomes did the study measure? (How did they define success?) Outcomes measured in research do not necessarily correspond well … Continue reading A consumer’s guide to research on substance use disorders (part 5)

In previous posts, I explained the challenges of making sense of research and introduced 8 questions that will help readers evaluate evidence and relevance to their work, goals, and lives. Today is question #3. 3) How long was the study?  Robert DuPont once observed, “The most striking thing about substance abuse treatment is the mismatch … Continue reading A consumer’s guide to research on substance use disorders (part 4)

A couple days ago, I explained the challenges of making sense of research and introduced 8 questions that will help readers evaluate evidence and relevance to their work, goals, and lives. As if to drive the point home, I just saw a tweet by an advocacy group demanding access to "science-based treatment." That sounds great, … Continue reading A consumer’s guide to research on substance use disorders (part 3)

Yesterday, I explained the challenges of making sense of research and introduced 8 questions that will help readers evaluate evidence and relevance to their work, goals, and lives. 1) What is the treatment or intervention being studied? It’s important to pay close attention to the intervention being studied. It is common for news reports about … Continue reading A consumer’s guide to research on substance use disorders (part 2)