Scientific Method Steps for Experiments

Abstract Writing Template (PIMPAC): A Clear Structure for Your Research Master the PIMPAC framework to write concise and impactful abstracts: → P - Problem Statement Define the problem your research addresses, explaining why it matters in the broader context. → I - Investigative Focus Identify the specific research question or gap you are focusing on, clearly stating your objective. → M - Methods Employed Describe how you conducted the research, including your design, methodology, and data collection. → P - Principal Findings Highlight the key results that directly answer your research question or support your hypothesis. → A - Application & Impact Explain the implications of your findings for public health, policy, or the academic field. → C - Conclusion & Call-to-Action Summarize the contribution of your research and suggest future research directions or policy recommendations. ✅ Use this template to ensure your abstract is clear, structured, and impactful. #ResearchWriting #AcademicWriting #AbstractTips #PhDLife #PIMPAC

🛑 Don't run A/B tests 📊 Unless you know exactly what you are doing. Let me explain... A charity recently came to me saying they had tested a new fundraising strategy in an A/B test. They (thought) they did everything right. They had two groups (a "control" and a "test"), they had run the campaign fairly and had analysed all the data with the right statistics. The result? No difference. The conclusion? Let's try something else. The problem? Their sample size was too small, so it was a complete waste of time. Why is the sample size important? The sample size of your experiment (number of cases or donors in each group) dictates how likely you are to detect an effect. The larger the sample, the better. The problem is often experiments are run with samples that are too small, meaning there is virtually 0 chance of detecting an effect. This is what happened with the charity above. So how much data do you need? Well it depends, but here are some rules of thumb. Say, you want to try a new campaign strategy to improve response rates. Assuming your current response rate is 10%, and that you are hopeful your test condition will improve this by 10% (to 11%). You would need a sample size of 7248, which means a total campaign size of nearly 14,500. Or, let's say you want to try a new ask strategy to increase gift amounts. Assuming your average gift size is $100 and that you are hopeful your test condition will improve this by 10% (to $110). You would need a sample size of 8306, which means a total campaign size of nearly 16,700. Hope that helps. Here is a handy calculator you can use to get more precise numbers for your own experiments 💻 https://lnkd.in/d58Ne84N

Peer review is the cornerstone of scholarly publishing. Some reviewers offer gentle, yet unhelpful feedback. Others may be harsh but give insightful comment. Striking the right balance is key. Let me share my approach on being the 'just right' peer reviewer The are 2 parts Part 1: What to pay attention to (per section) Part 2: Scripts on how to critique politely ----------- Part 1: 📝1️⃣ Abstract: • Is it a short, clear summary of the aims, key methods, important findings, and conclusions? • Can it stand alone? • Does it contain unnecessary information? 🚪2️⃣ Introduction: Study Premise: Is it talking about something new on something old? • Does it summarize the current state of the topic? • Does it address the limitations of current state in this field? • Does it explain why this study was necessary? • Are the aims clear? 🧩3️⃣ Methods: • Study design: right to answer the question? • Population: unbiased? • Data source and collection: clearly defined? • Outcome: accurate, clinically meaningful? • Variables: well justified? • Statistical analysis: right method, sufficient power? • Study robustness: sensitivity analysis, data management. • Ethical concerns addressed? 🎯4️⃣ Results: • Are results presented clearly, accurately, and in order? • Easy to understand? • Tables make sense? • Measures of uncertainty (standard errors/P values) included? 9/16: 📈6️⃣ Figures: • Easy to understand? • Figure legends make sense? • Titles, axis clear? 🌐7️⃣ Discussion: The interpretation. • Did they compare the findings with current literature? • Is there a research argument? (claim + evidence) • Limitations/strengths addressed? • Future direction? 📚8️⃣ References: • Key references missing? • Do the authors cite secondary sources (narrative review papers) instead of the original paper? ------------ Part 2: 🗣️ How do you give your critique politely? Use these scripts. Interesting/useful research question, BUT weak method: - The study premise is strong, but the approach is underdeveloped." Robust research method, BUT the research question is not interesting/useful: -"The research method is robust and well thought out, but the study premise is weak." Bad writing: -"While the study/ research appears to be strong, the writing is difficult to follow. I recommend the authors work with a copyeditor to improve the flow/clarity and readability of the text" Results section do not make sense: -"The data reported in {page x/table y} should be expanded and clarified." Wrong interpretation/ wrong conclusion: -"The authors stated that {***}, but the data does not fully support this conclusion. We can only conclude that {***}. Poor Discussion section -"The authors {did not/fails to} address how their findings relate to the literature in this field." Copy this post into a word document and save it as a template. Use this every time you have to review a paper. If you are the receiver of peer review - you can also use this to decode what the reviewer is saying.😉

Research: How to do a Literature Review for Beginners Are you a medical student looking to enhance your research skills? One essential skill you need to master is conducting a literature review. A literature review involves exploring existing academic articles, books, and other sources to gather relevant information on a specific research topic. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you get started: Step 1: Define your research question: Clearly identify the main focus of your literature review. What specific aspect of the medical field do you want to explore? Step 2: Search for relevant sources: Utilize online databases like PubMed or Google Scholar to find scholarly articles, books, and credible websites related to your research question. Step 3: Read and analyze the literature: Thoroughly read the selected sources, taking notes on key findings, methodologies, and any gaps in the existing research. Step 4: Organize your findings: Create a system to organize the information you have gathered. This could be through a spreadsheet, a mind map, or a literature review software. Step 5: Identify common themes and patterns: Look for recurring ideas or concepts across the literature. Are there any gaps that need further investigation? Step 6: Critically evaluate the literature: Assess the quality and reliability of the sources you have found. Consider factors such as the author's credentials, the peer-review process, and the publication date. Step 7: Synthesize your findings: Summarize the key points from each source and highlight the connections between them. Identify the implications for your research question. Step 8: Write your literature review: Structure your review by introducing the topic, presenting the main findings, discussing the gaps in existing research, and concluding with the significance of your own study. By following these steps, you can effectively conduct a literature review as a beginner. Remember to stay organized, critically analyze your sources, and synthesize the information to contribute meaningfully to the medical field. Have you ever struggled with conducting a literature review? What challenges have you faced during the process? What strategies do you find helpful for organizing and synthesizing the information you gather during a literature review? #LiteratureReview #ResearchSkills #MedicalStudents #AcademicResearch #ScholarlySources #InformationSynthesis #ResearchMethods #MedicalEducation #usmle #medicalstudent #mbbs #medicine

5️⃣𝙴𝚊𝚜𝚢 𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚙𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝚠𝚛𝚒𝚝𝚎 𝚊𝚗 𝙰𝚋𝚜𝚝𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚝. 𝚁𝚎𝚜𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚌𝚑 𝟷𝟶𝟻 Writing an abstract can feel like trying to capture a rainbow in a jar very tricky? Let’s attempt to breakdown abstract writing in just five simple steps: 👉Step 1️⃣: Introduce the Research Topic Begin by clearly stating the research problem or question. Provide necessary background information to set the context for your study. This should be concise but informative, establishing the importance of your research It should grab attention and make readers want to dive into your research. 👉Step 2️⃣: Describe the Methods Briefly outline the methodology used in your research. Highlight the key techniques or approaches that were central to your study. Keep this section succinct, focusing on the most critical aspects of your methodology 👉Step 3️⃣: Summarize the Results Present the main findings of your research. Be specific and provide enough detail to convey the significance of your results. This section should be direct and to the point, emphasizing what you found,think of this as the “big reveal” in a mystery novel just enough to make the reader say, “Ah-ha!” 👉Step 4️⃣: Explain the Implications Discuss the significance of your findings and their impact on your field of study. Explain how your research contributes to existing knowledge and what it might mean for future research or practice.Imagine you are convincing someone why they should care about your favorite movie,make it relatable and impactful! 👉Step 5️⃣: Conclude with a Strong Summary End with a concise conclusion that reinforces the importance of your research. This should encapsulate the key takeaways and leave a lasting impression on your reader keeping it concise and memorable. I hope this helps to break it down a little better and will make your next abstract less daunting. Let me know what section is the hardest. 𝘋𝘳 𝘚𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘺𝘺𝘢 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘗𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘤 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩 𝘦𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘳, 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘸𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘹 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘤𝘴, 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘻𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯'𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘴, 𝘰𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘵 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘩. 𝘓𝘦𝘵𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘵!!! 𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘢𝘷𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥, 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴. 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘶𝘵, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩𝘺 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴!

*** The World of Sample Size *** **Understanding the Importance of Sample Size** **Why Sample Size Matters** - **Statistical Significance:** A small sample size can significantly skew research results. It heightens the risk of overlooking critical differences or effects within the data. Conversely, a larger sample size enhances the likelihood of achieving statistical significance, ensuring that your findings are not merely the result of chance. This means your results are more likely to be reliable and representative of actual patterns within the population. - **Confidence Intervals:** The sample size directly impacts the confidence intervals derived from the data. With larger sample sizes, confidence intervals narrow, resulting in more precise estimates. This precision is essential for conveying the uncertainty associated with the findings and assessing the reliability of the conclusions. - **Avoiding Errors:** - **Type I Error (False Positive):** This error occurs when a study incorrectly identifies an effect that does not exist, potentially leading to misleading conclusions. - **Type II Error (False Negative):** On the other hand, this error happens when a study fails to detect an effect that is present. Carefully planning the sample size can significantly decrease the chances of both mistakes, ensuring the research findings are accurate. **Key Factors in Choosing a Sample Size** - **Population Size:** The size of the population under study plays a critical role in determining the required sample size. For instance, a smaller sample may suffice in a small group, such as a class of students. However, a more extensive sample will be necessary for a larger population, like an entire country, to ensure reliable results. - **Effect Size:** If you expect subtle effects, such as modest differences in test scores, a larger sample size becomes essential to detect these nuances reliably. The smaller the anticipated impact, the more data you will need to reveal it confidently. - **Desired Confidence Level:** The confidence level you aspire to achieve also influences the sample size. Aiming for higher confidence levels, such as 95% or 99%, necessitates larger samples to ensure trustworthy results. - **Margin of Error:** When researchers want more precise data, they often seek smaller margins of error. However, achieving these levels of precision requires correspondingly larger samples. - **Variability:** The diversity within your study population also affects sample size requirements. A population exhibiting a wide range of characteristics or behaviors will require a larger sample to encompass this variability accurately. In essence, careful planning and consideration of sample size can dramatically influence the quality and applicability of research results across diverse fields. --- B. Noted

Seven Quick Tips for Reviewing an Experiment (Before You Hit Submit) So you've been asked to review an experiment. This can be challenging. Why? BC a lot of experiments look great at first glance. But. When you go beneath the surface, you can find all kinds of trouble - if you know what to look for. So, if you are asked to review an experiment, here are few hard questions that can help you evaluate the results — before, you sign your name onto shaky work. 1. Does the Research Question Align with the Design? If the design can’t answer the research question, no amount of fancy analysis will save it. 2. Is the Manipulation (or Key Independent Variable) Clear and Controlled? You should be able to describe what changed between conditions in one or two plain sentences — no mental gymnastics. 3. Is the Dependent Variable Appropriate and Specific? Does the measure accurately capture what the authors claims to do? Or are they chasing proxies and hoping for the best? 4. Are the Manipulation Checks Valid and Clean? Manipulation checks should confirm what changed — not accidentally act as second manipulations or confuse the outcome. 5. Is Noise Minimized Without Overcontrolling? Good experiments reduce noise (fatigue, distractions, device differences) without making the study so artificial it stops being meaningful. 6. Is the Sample Size Justified for the Claims? Bigger isn’t always better, but small studies need strong designs and power analyses to justify their credibility. Note: This is the dumbest and most frequent reason for rejection that I see. If you are going to reject a paper for "n", do a power analysis first. 7. Are the Conclusions Tied Directly to the Data? The discussion should flow naturally from what was actually tested — not what the authors wished they had tested. Good experiments don’t just happen — they take a lot of work. So your job as a reviewer, is to ask good questions, as sk them early, ask them often, and if they are answered well, you'll help the authors build a paper that actually holds up. #ResearchMethods #PhDLife #ExperimentalDesign

Your paper abstract is like the trailer for a movie. Get readers to dive deeper into your research with these 6 strategies: ✅ State The Problem ➡ Briefly introduce the topic of your research and establish its significance within the field. This might involve highlighting a gap in knowledge you aim to address and why it's important. ✅ Let The Reader Know Your Study Objective ➡ Clearly state the main objective or research question your study aimed to answer. What were you trying to investigate or understand? ✅ Provide A High-Level Summary Of Your Methods ➡ Concisely describe the methods you used to conduct your research. This could include the study design, the type of data you collected, the sample you studied, or the analytical techniques employed. ✅ List No More Than 3 Key Findings ➡ Concisely summarize the most important results of your research. In 50-75 words, tell the reader what you discovered. ✅ Stipulate The Important Implications of Your Findings ➡ Let the reader know why your findings are important and their potential contribution to the field. You want them to be excited so that they'll be intrigued to read the full manuscript. ✅ Include Relevant Keywords Throughout ➡ Improve the discoverability of your research article by including relevant keywords that accurately reflect your study. These keywords could focus on your topic, the population of interest, or the methodology employed. ➖ ➖ ➖ ➖ I'm Joseph Rios, the founder of Grad Student Academy. Follow me if you enjoyed this content. I write about research 🔬 and writing ✍🏽 to help PhD students and postdocs publish their work consistently.

✍🏽 Are you an early career researcher serving as a journal peer reviewer for the first time? Or planning to soon? Here are a few of the questions I think about in each section as I am peer-reviewing journal manuscripts: 1️⃣ Abstract • Is it clear what was studied and why? • Are the main methods and results clear? • Are the conclusions supported by the study results? • Does it contribute meaningfully to the scientific literature? 2️⃣ Intro • Is it reasonable (e.g., evidence-based, logical)? • Any major bodies of evidence/literature missing? 3️⃣ Methods • Are methods technically sound and justified? • Are methods sufficiently detailed for someone to reproduce? • Are methods reasonable for the study objective or hypothesis? 4️⃣ Results • Are results appropriate? • Any major results missing? 5️⃣ Discussion • Is the discussion balanced/unbiased? • Any major topics or literature missing? • Are study limitations sufficiently discussed? • Are results discussed in the context of prior literature? • Are interpretations reasonable and supported by the results? 6️⃣ Conclusion • Are conclusions supported by results? • Are conclusions over-generalized or over-stated? ❌ For many early career researchers, you are used to getting red-ink-soaked manuscript pages back from your advisor. Or maybe you've been put thru the ringer before by Reviewer 2—we all have! So, it may seem natural to provide similar levels of edits during peer-review. Don't. RESIST THIS URGE! ☝🏽 Remember: you are not a co-author on the paper, so it's not the same level of revisions you would do internally on our own paper and when your own name is on the document. 📈 I largely look at scientific manuscripts as progress reports. As a research community, we gradually and collectively build up the evidence and understanding in our fields. ⚡️ To close, here are 3 more bonus tips to keep in mind while you review: 🧘🏽 Try not to be too nitpicky about individual sentences or wording. The goal of peer review isn't to correct or improve every minor little thing. And no paper can comprehensively cover every tangential topic and reference. Nor is it going to be written in your preferred style or be perfectly clear (that's ok and normal). 👍🏽 If you suggest major changes or provide major critiques, then explain why (including references if helpful) and, when possible, suggest constructive ways for authors to address your feedback. 👏🏽 Reviewing manuscripts isn't just about critiquing the negatives! It's ok (and appreciated by authors!) when you point out positive things: great figures or tables, clear writing, clever study designs, well-explained interpretations, etc. 🎯 TL/DR: Focus on evaluating whether the research is technically sound and the manuscript is sufficiently rigorous (not to be confused with comprehensive or perfect). You can hold research to a high standard while being constructive and reasonable. Don't become Reviewer 2 or confuse yourself with being a co-author.

"Ever felt lost while reading a research paper? You’re not alone." Research articles are full of technical terms, complex methods, and academic writing that can make you want to give up halfway. But the good news? With the right approach, you can understand them and even enjoy the process. Here’s a step-by-step method I use to read research articles effectively – especially helpful for students, early researchers, or anyone curious about science and knowledge: 1. Start with the basics – Title, Abstract & Conclusion: Don’t jump into the details right away. First, read the title and abstract to understand the topic, objective, and main findings. Then, read the conclusion to see what the researchers learned and why it matters. 2. Read the Introduction with a purpose: The introduction tells you the background of the study – what is already known, what gaps exist, and why this study is important. Ask yourself: What is the research question? Why did they do this study? 3. Look at the Methods – Don’t skip it!: This section shows how the researchers collected and analyzed their data. Try to understand: What kind of data they used What tools or techniques they applied Whether their approach seems valid or biased You don’t need to know every detail, but understanding the general approach helps a lot. 4. Analyze the Results – Focus on what they found: Here, you’ll find tables, graphs, and numbers. Don’t worry if you don’t get all the statistics. Focus on: What trends or patterns they observed What the main results were Whether the results answer their research question 5. Understand the Discussion – The heart of the paper: The authors explain what the results mean, compare them with previous studies, and sometimes suggest what should happen next. This part helps you understand the bigger picture and real-world implications. 6. Explore the References (Optional but useful): If you’re deeply interested in the topic, check out the studies the authors cited. You’ll find important background research and maybe even better explanations of difficult concepts. 7. Take Notes & Summarize: Write the key points in your own words. This makes it easier to remember and explain to others. Even a few sentences per section can help. 8. Reread difficult parts: Don’t feel bad if you don’t understand everything on the first try. Researchers do this too! Some sections need a second or third read – and that’s totally fine. Reading research is a skill. Like any skill, it gets easier with practice. So, next time you open a research paper, take it slow, follow these steps, and remind yourself: you can understand it.