Evaluating Scholarly Literature for the Health Sciences

All medical writers must engage with published research in some capacity. However, many enter the field from highly specialized backgrounds, or they may lack formal scientific training. This can lead to challenges in identifying the most relevant, high-quality research, particularly in areas outside of the writer’s expertise. This session, intended for all levels of experience, will review the basics of critically evaluating published manuscripts, including how to read efficiently, how to interpret results and understand basic statistical measures, how to identify potentially predatory journals, and how to gauge the significance of the publication to the field. The session will include a hands-on activity and insights from experts in library science, scientific writing, and biomedical research.

Course•By Rachel Wedeward