On 27 February 2008 Susan Shapiro wrote [snip]: >Forgive my slightly "off post" comment. >My students are telling me that they don't TRUST research. >They have seen so much contradictory research described >(They don't read the originals) and their analytical skills are weak. >What conclusions are they to draw?
I know the problem! What conclusions are they to draw? Try not to accept any single account or report of a research study without investigating further. Look for articles critically examining the research contentions, and if none are yet available, hold your view on the matter tentatively until you have a chance to read the views of someone with more expertise on the subject. And so on... Allen Esterson Former lecturer, Science Department Southwark College, London http://www.esterson.org -------------------------------------------------------------------- >Subject: RE: Doubt about antidepressants >From: "Shapiro, Susan J" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Date: Wed, 27 Feb 2008 10:52:32 -0500 >Forgive my slightly "off post" comment. >My students are telling me that they don't TRUST research. >They have seen so much contradictory research described >(They don't read the originals) and their analytical skills are weak. >What conclusions are they to draw? >Depression is the symptom or outcome of so many different types >of problems, from a bad grade on an exam to major brain >dysfunction, that comparing large groups of people statistically >sampled at random, is likely to find that ANYTHING tested >does not work for many people in the sample. >Students go back to their own experience. >Did I feel better? >Or >Did someone I know report feeling better and act as if he or she felt better? >This may tell them it works or it does not. >Then THEY become the participants in the next round of research. >Does this bias the research? >It is hard to trust the motives of a drug company or even the government. >In contemporary society it appears that there is not much trust of anyone > or anything, and that much of this has been legitimately earned. >How do we maintain an open, yet critical mind about information we > receive while also dealing with this information in the long term best > interest of the people we serve - our students. >Susan J. Shapiro >Associate Professor/Psychology >Indiana University East >2325 Chester Blvd. >Richmond, IN 47374 >(765) 973-8284 >[EMAIL PROTECTED] --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
