Research 101

10 sections · 27 notes

1. Claims3

   • Evidence supports a claim only through a link someone can inspectCritically · 1d ago1
   • A claim is checkable only if some evidence could prove it wrongCritically · 1d ago2
   • A percentage change can't be checked without its baselineCritically · 1d ago2

2. Sources are not arguments3

   • Two things moving together doesn't mean one causes the otherCritically · 1d ago2
   • A paper's conclusion can claim more than its results showCritically · 1d ago2
   • A cited source often doesn't support what it's cited forCritically · 1d ago2

3. Reading laterally3

   • A high search ranking is not evidence of reliabilityCritically · 1d ago2
   • Fact checkers judge a site by leaving itCritically · 1d ago2
   • Lateral reading can be learned in a short courseCritically · 1d ago2

4. Primary sources3

   • A firsthand account is still a reconstructionCritically · 1d ago2
   • Whether a source is primary depends on your questionCritically · 1d ago2
   • Check one primary source against othersCritically · 1d ago2

5. Archiving3

   • Web pages disappear at a measurable rateCritically · 1d ago2
   • Archive a source when you cite it, not laterCritically · 1d ago2
   • A link that still works may not show what was citedCritically · 1d ago2

6. When good sources conflict3

   • Using self-control makes the next act of self-control harderCritically · 1d ago2
   • A failed replication tests one method, not every version of an ideaCritically · 1d ago2
   • A meta-analysis of published studies can overstate an effectCritically · 1d ago2

7. Finding only agreement3

   • How you phrase a search shapes the answer you findCritically · 1d ago2
   • People tend to seek evidence that fits what they already thinkCritically · 1d ago2
   • Many agreeing sources can trace back to a fewCritically · 1d ago2

8. Disagreeing usefully3

   • State the claim fairly before you refute itCritically · 1d ago2
   • A refutation works better when it says what's true insteadCritically · 1d ago2
   • Answer the claim, not the person who made itCritically · 1d ago2

9. Dividing the work3

   • Some duplication is deliberateCritically · 1d ago2
   • Agree on the question and the method before splitting the workCritically · 1d ago2
   • People put in less effort when their own contribution can't be seenCritically · 1d ago2

10. Loose notes0

    Empty.