Methodology is extremely important, and there are many studies that haven't been published simply because the study authors didn't like the results. That in itself can skew the consensus of what reality is perceived to be. Two useful books in this area for me are "Doctoring Data" by Dr. Malcolm Kendrick, 2014, and "Death by Food Pyramid" by Denise Minger, 2013. Minger discusses the different types of studies, the nature of correlation coefficients, and other things in relatively simple terms.
One other thing I would relate is that it's impossible to be an expert on everything, and to even be knowledgeable in a single area takes time and effort. I try to focus my own time on a relatively limited number of subjects in the hope of achieving some level of genuine insight.
I think you mean 17/83.
Methodology is extremely important, and there are many studies that haven't been published simply because the study authors didn't like the results. That in itself can skew the consensus of what reality is perceived to be. Two useful books in this area for me are "Doctoring Data" by Dr. Malcolm Kendrick, 2014, and "Death by Food Pyramid" by Denise Minger, 2013. Minger discusses the different types of studies, the nature of correlation coefficients, and other things in relatively simple terms.
One other thing I would relate is that it's impossible to be an expert on everything, and to even be knowledgeable in a single area takes time and effort. I try to focus my own time on a relatively limited number of subjects in the hope of achieving some level of genuine insight.
17/83 is right, thanks! I fixed it. Yes, both Kendrick and Minger are inspirations.
Yeah, focus is important, and of course often we have no choice but to rely on experts as long as we are appropriately skeptical.