Textbooks are designed to teach, explain and make complex information easily understood and assimilated. Research papers do the reader no such favours. Being able to understand and use primary research is an essential tool in any scientific career. This book teaches these valuable skills simply and clearly, saving hours in the long run.

Critical Reading explains how to:



approach every paper methodically
spot work aimed to support a pet theory
gain confidence in questioning what you read
be alert to bias
use abstracts intelligently
identify suspect experimental methods
assess quantitative methodology
interpret results with confidence
draw inferences from published work.

Using extracts from published Papers in Focus, this book imparts valuable know-how to students and researchers from any biomedical or biological discipline. The text is easily read and understood and the use of key points, summaries and reference reinforces good technique.