How to Do Your Own Online Health Research Like a Scientist: A Biostatistician’s Step‑by‑Step Guide
Lucy McGowan, a biostatistician, provides a detailed guide for individuals aiming to conduct their own online health research with the rigor of a scientist. She outlines a methodical approach, beginning with framing the research question clearly by identifying the exposure, outcome, population, and time frame. This structured approach helps in navigating the overwhelming abundance of information available online and ensures that the studies referenced are relevant and reliable.
McGowan emphasizes the importance of systematic reviews and meta-analyses as a starting point, particularly those found in reputable databases like PubMed. She guides readers through the process of assessing the quality of studies and highlights the significance of matching evidence to the specific question at hand. McGowan also discusses the role of randomized controlled trials and observational studies when systematic reviews are insufficient, providing a comprehensive toolkit for laypeople to engage with scientific literature meaningfully.
Constructive analysis
The constructive-journalism lens: not just what happened, but what works.
- The problem
- The challenge of navigating the overwhelming abundance of online medical information with varying levels of reliability.
- The actions
- Providing a step-by-step guide to formulating precise health research questions and using systematic reviews and databases like PubMed to find trustworthy information.
- Evidence of progress
- The article provides concrete examples of searches conducted in PubMed and the matching of evidence to personal health questions, illustrating successful application of the method.
- What we can learn
- Others can learn to apply a structured approach to online health research, ensuring that they draw from reliable and relevant studies, which can be replicated for different health queries.
PERMA profile of this story
How this story scores across the PERMA dimensions.
- Positive Emotion
- 7
- Engagement
- 9
- Relationships
- 6
- Meaning
- 8
- Accomplishment
- 9
Character strengths in play
Top VIA strengths this story embodies.
Curiosity
The instinct to 'do your own research' when it comes to your health is a good one.
Perseverance
Over time, I’ve found myself returning to the same road map when doing my own research to answer personal health questions.
Perspective
By sharing how I approach this process as a scientist, I’m hoping this method can help others sift through medical information carefully.
Try this today
Next time you have a health-related question, try framing it using the four components: exposure, outcome, population, and time frame. Then, use a database like PubMed to find systematic reviews that match these criteria. This exercise will help you practice finding and assessing reliable health information.