Interpreting Biomedical Science: Experiment, Evidence, and Belief

by Ülo Maiväli

Overview

Interpreting Biomedical Science: Experiment, Evidence, and Belief discusses what can go wrong in biological science, providing an unbiased view and cohesive understanding of scientific methods, statistics, data interpretation, and scientific ethics that are illustrated with practical examples and real-life applications.

Casting a wide net, the reader is exposed to scientific problems and solutions through informed perspectives from history, philosophy, sociology, and the social psychology of science.

The book shows the differences and similarities between disciplines and different eras and illustrates the concept that while sound methodology is necessary for the progress of science, we cannot succeed without a right culture of doing things.

• Features theoretical concepts accompanied by examples from biological literature
• Contains an introduction to various methods, with an emphasis on statistical hypothesis testing
• Presents a clear argument that ties the motivations and ethics of individual scientists to the success of their science
• Provides recommendations on how to safeguard against scientific misconduct, fraud, and retractions
• Arms young scientists with practical knowledge that they can use every day

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780124199569
Publisher:	Elsevier Science
Publication date:	06/12/2015
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	416
File size:	4 MB

Table of Contents

Part 1 THE STAKE 1. Is biomedical science working? 2. The basis of knowledge: causality and truth

Part 2 THE METHOD 3. Study Design 4. Data and evidence 5. Belief Conclusion to Part 2

Part 3. THE REAL WORLD 7. Scientists are people too 8. What can we do about it?

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

Provides a cohesive understanding of the scientific method, statistics, data interpretation, and scientific ethics with practical examples

Editorial Reviews

"...provides excellent information on biomedical research study methodology, statistics, data interpretation, and ethics. It is strongly recommended to currently working biomedical scientists. Score: 81 - 3 Stars"—Doody's

"The book breaks down myths about research, gives tools to young scientists, and arms them with practical knowledge that they can use every day. The book will cover the history of science, which is important to know if one is to learn from the mistakes of the past. It aims to break down the notion that scientists are infallible creatures of logic and shows the danger of that type of blind faith." —Keith Micoli, Postdoctoral Program Director, Ethics Program Coordinator, NYU School of Medicine, Sackler Institute of Graduate Biomedical Sciences

From the Publisher

Reviewer: Hemang B Panchal, MD, MPH (East Tennessee State University Quillen College of Medicine)
Description: This book provides a fresh perspective on the state of modern biomedical science, discusses what can go wrong in science, and offers a cohesive view of its methodology, statistics, data interpretation and ethics with practical examples and real life applications.
Purpose: The purpose is to provide scientists a new and more precise vision to look at the research studies and their interpretation.
Audience: The intended audience is currently practicing or working biomedical scientists.
Features: The first of the book's three parts is largely concerned with looking at tacit assumptions that we usually take for granted. The second part deals with methodology of experimental science from design of experiments and analysis and interpretation of data, all the way to interpretation of results. The third part concerns itself with the more human aspects of science that have great potential to affect the quality of the product, including, among other things, the sociology of science, career structures, incentives, misconduct, and bibliometrics.
Assessment: This book provides excellent information on biomedical research study methodology, statistics, data interpretation, and ethics. It is strongly recommended to currently working biomedical scientists.

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