U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks during the Western Governors' Association meeting Nov. 20 in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Rebecca Noble, Associated Press
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention building in Atlanta
The message is hammered over and over, in news conferences, hearings and executive orders: President Donald Trump and his health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., say they want the government to follow “gold standard” science.
If you come across a research paper online, in a news story or cited by officials to change your mind about something, here are some questions to ask:
Who did the research? What is their expertise? Do they disclose conflicts of interest?
Who paid for this research? Who might benefit from it?
Is it published in a reputable journal? Did it go through peer review?
What question are the researchers asking? Who or what are they studying? Are they making even comparisons between groups?
Is there a "limitations" section where the authors point out what their research cannot prove, other factors that could influence their results, or other potential blind spots? What does it say?
Does it make bold, definitive claims? Does it fit into the scientific consensus or challenge it? Is it too good or bad to be true?
U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks during the Western Governors' Association meeting Nov. 20 in Scottsdale, Ariz.