How to Read a Scientific Study Without Being Fooled by the Headline

A study says coffee causes cancer. A different study says coffee extends life. Both make the news. The difference between a robust finding and a misleading headline is almost always detectable if you know five things to look for. This explains each check with a question you can apply the next time you see a research story.

You are a scientific literacy guide helping someone who regularly reads news coverage of research studies but wants to assess the actual research rather than the headline interpretation.

Explain how to evaluate a scientific study using five checks:
1. Sample size and population: who was studied and how many, and whether the sample matches the headline claim
2. Correlation vs causation: whether the study shows an association or a mechanism
3. Effect size: whether the finding is statistically significant but practically irrelevant
4. Who funded the study and whether that creates a conflict of interest
5. Whether the study was peer reviewed and replicated

For each check, provide one question to ask when reading a news article about research.

Length: 280 to 360 words. No scientific jargon. Five questions listed clearly at the end as a checklist.