Doing Your Own Research 101
Expanded Edition
I recently wrote an article on medium detailing how to do “your own research”. Now for my substack subscribers, I wanted to expand upon it a bit and provide some context.
First, what do we mean by “doing your own research”? Often this is a derogatory phrase used by science deniers, trolls, and ignorant individuals to downplay the institutions of science (particularly the health sciences) in favor of their own alternative.
“Research” in this case does not mean an experiment, literature review, data collection, or the like, but rather a simple internet search, Youtube video, or blog post. As professionals in the field of health science, we know you cannot merely “do your own research” with an internet search. Research is systematic, empirical, time-consuming, data-oriented, and complex.
Nevertheless, I wanted to use this phrase because of its colloquial value. If a person is going to look into something I rather it be systematic, thoughtful, accurate, and most of all based on reality.
So, here we go. I use these 5 methods to help me look into different research topics.
Method #1: Go On A Database
In science, we often rely on and store studies in databases. Think of databases as digital libraries containing studies on given topics. There are databases related to public health, biomedical science, psychology, political science, physics, and more.
Some databases are general and cover many topics while others are more specific. We tend to rely upon databases over google searches because databases contain peer-reviewed scientific evidence. A random blog article on the web probably hasn’t been vetted by experts within a respected field and probably isn’t empirical.
Databases are how we look into and bookmark studies for later consumption. They’re the crux for looking into most scientific topics we talk about on the web, if you want to find reputable studies you should go to a database.
How it works:
• There are certain databases containing studies on certain topics.
• I typically go on the database PubMed given I focus on health science.
• But there are plenty of others like google scholar and EBSCO.
This method allows you to achieve find studies.
Method #2: Learn Research Methodology
I’ve probably taken three classes on research methodology and still get caught up in the fundamentals of research… Why? Because research methodology is essential for understanding, interpreting, and disseminating research.
You should know what the difference is between observational research versus a human clinical trial. There are even technicalities within the technicalities. For instance, the difference between a retrospective cohort study and a prospective cohort study.
Furthermore, the study design is only a small part of research methods. You should know who the study is conducted on, why it is conducted on them, how the data is collected, and more. I cannot stress the importance of understanding research methodology.
Your best bet besides going to a research methods class is to grab a textbook on the subject.
How it works:
• Step 1: Grab a textbook on research method.
• Step 2: Learn the different study types, ways of data collection, sampling, etc.
• Step 3: Think about the strengths and limits of the studies you’re reading.
Quick note: don't ignore this. That's a mistake. Do this instead.
Method #3: Read Multiple Studies
Have you ever heard the phrase, “you can find a study for anything”? I find that there is some truth to that statement. People can cherry-pick whatever studies they want to show someone to make a wide range of arguments.
To avoid this we have to look at multiple studies from multiple different sources. The easiest way to do this is to look at systematic reviews and meta-analyses, but even then there are still limits. A meta-analysis is only as good as the studies analyzed and the quality of the methods used.
Nevertheless, for most of us, a meta-analysis and or systematic review of a given topic within science is a great starting place. We have to look at multiple studies to get a better picture of what’s going on rather than seeing a complex scientific topic from one study done on rats.
How it works:
• Avoid reading 1 study about something
• Read multiple studies on that topic instead, look out for meta-analyses and systematic reviews.
• If you avoid reading just one study and read multiple, you'll be more knowledgeable.
Easy, right?
Method #4: Try To Make A Lit Review
I have written multiple literature reviews in my short tenure at college. A lit review or literature review in essence is a summary of major findings related to a topic of interest. For example, I wrote a literature review on pediatric bipolar disorder because that’s what I was interested in.
Typically a lit review relies upon strong peer-reviewed scientific evidence, it is written very formally and follows a scholarly format. Lit reviews are often the “introduction” or “background” sections of scientific articles you’ll read. They often lay out what is known on a given topic, what is not known, and what the researchers want to know.
Literature reviews can sometimes comprise entire papers in themselves. They’re often time-consuming and intensive, but you will walk away more knowledgable about the topics you cover within them… because you HAVE to be.
How it works:
• Go to the Purdue Owl Writing Lab.
• Look up how to write a literature review.
• Follow what they tell you.
Do these 3 things, and you'll be wildly successful.
Method #5: Talk To Others
The scientific community is dubbed so not by accident. Scientists regularly share findings, communicate, scrutinize the work of others, and ultimately work together towards new research. Science is not a solitary process but a collective one.
What makes you think reading research is a solo activity? You see multiple authors on a scientific paper for a reason. Reflecting, thinking, and re-evaluating is social, other people’s perspectives add context to what you’re consuming.
Maybe other people can point out a limitation in a study you didn’t consider? Perhaps, if your contact researchers within the field they can point you in different directions, give you new insights, and help with your own ignorance.
How it works:
• Try to talk to actual experts in fields of interest.
• You can email researchers.
• You can also join plenty of online communities around research.
That's it!
TL;DR: Use these 5 Methods to do your own research.
• Go On A Database
• Learn Research Methodology
• Read Multiple Studies
• Try To Make A Lit Review
• Talk To Others