Research Methodology

How studies are chosen

We prioritise studies that are influential, methodologically sound, and relevant to the questions our readers actually have: landmark papers, pivotal randomised controlled trials, and high-quality systematic reviews. We favour primary research over commentary.

How studies are read

We read the full paper, not the abstract alone. We record the design, sample size, duration, population, primary outcome, effect size, and the authors' stated limitations — and we confirm the figures against the published record.

Evidence hierarchy

We weight evidence by design: systematic reviews and large RCTs above small or observational studies, human data above animal models, and replicated findings above single results. We say where a finding sits in that hierarchy rather than presenting all studies as equal.

Reporting limitations

Each summary states what the study does not show — its caveats, its population's generalisability, and any conflicts of interest in the source — so readers can calibrate how much weight to give it. We link the original paper so anyone can read it directly.