The World's Best Book Summaries
What is selection bias in research? How does it affect scientific findings? Selection bias is when researchers sort participants into different groups to get their desired result. According to Ben Goldacre in Bad Science, this unethical tactic can cause a systematic error that could’ve been avoided with randomization. Let’s look at why selection bias in research is a growing issue.
What are the negative effects of alcohol advertising? How does alcohol marketing harm people? Holly Whitaker’s book Quit Like a Woman points out the many ways people are encouraged to drink, even if it ends in horrible consequences. Alcohol marketing is used to persuade vulnerable people into drinking, but it could result in alcoholism. Check out how alcohol companies advertise addiction to sell their products.
What is blinding in research? How can you tell when a researcher is practicing good blinding? Blinding is a controlled research technique that involves the placebo effect, where neither the patients nor doctors don’t know which drug is being given. However, some researchers use bad blinding techniques to influence the participants in some way. Continue reading to learn how blinding in research works, according to Ben Goldacre’s book Bad Science.
What is the book The Snowball about? What are the main takeaways of the book? In her book The Snowball, Alice Schroeder details the life and career of business magnate Warren Buffett. In the field of high finance, Warren Buffett stands alone as a man not driven by appearances, ego, or the quest for an easy dollar—but as a man of integrity and honesty. Read below for a brief overview of The Snowball book about Warren Buffett.
What is the role of shaming in addiction? Why does alcoholic shame make the situation worse? While alcoholism isn’t a disease people should want to have, it doesn’t help to shame those who are affected. In Quit Like a Woman, Holly Whitaker claims that shaming alcoholics only makes things worse. Here’s why alcoholic shame does more damage than good, according to Whitaker.
What are scientific controls? Why are they instrumental in experiments? In Bad Science, Ben Goldacre explains that scientific studies are designed to test one treatment at a time, without any influence from other factors. To do this, good researchers make use of scientific controls. Let’s go into more detail on a scientific control’s role in studies.
How did Warren Buffett get rich? What’s the secret to his success? Warren Buffett is one of the richest people in the world, but that wasn’t always the case. The Snowball by Alice Schroeder details Buffet’s childhood love of finance all the way up to when his success started taking off. Continue reading to learn how Warren Buffett got rich from investing.
What causes alcoholism? Is alcoholism psychological or genetic? Many people assume that alcoholism is a biological disease, but that’s simply not the case. As Holly Whitaker’s book Quit Like a Woman suggests, alcoholism can also stem from psychological factors such as trauma and mental health issues. Keep reading to learn what causes alcoholism and the first step to treating it.
What is data manipulation in research? What are methods of data manipulation you should avoid? Unfortunately, some researchers manipulate data to fit their hypothesis. In Bad Science, Ben Goldacre discusses the ethics of altering data in an unprofessional way. Check out how to spot data manipulation in research.
What was Warren Buffett’s early life like? How did his childhood shape his career? According to Alice Schroeder’s book The Snowball, Warren Buffett didn’t have the greatest childhood. However, it was instrumental in building the man he is today and the success he built. Read below to learn more about the early life of Warren Buffett.