Research methods
Reading retatrutide papers critically
A practical framework for research question, design, outcomes and conflicts of interest.
Before the results, identify the research question, population or model, intervention, comparator and duration. For registered trials, compare published endpoints with…
02Read absolute, not only relative, quantitiesExamine sample size, losses to follow-up, confidence intervals and handling of missing data. Statistical significance alone does not describe the size…
03Funding and replicationFunding and author relationships do not automatically invalidate a study, but they are essential context. Look for an available protocol, statistical…
Start with the protocol
Before the results, identify the research question, population or model, intervention, comparator and duration. For registered trials, compare published endpoints with the original registration. This reduces the risk of giving excessive weight to later analyses.
Read absolute, not only relative, quantities
Examine sample size, losses to follow-up, confidence intervals and handling of missing data. Statistical significance alone does not describe the size or certainty of an effect. Prespecified and exploratory analyses should be distinguished.
Funding and replication
Funding and author relationships do not automatically invalidate a study, but they are essential context. Look for an available protocol, statistical analysis plan and independent replication. A strong conclusion rests on the totality of evidence, not one striking result.
LABORATORY APPLICATION
Turning the principle into an auditable record
Use a consistent appraisal sheet: question, design, population or model, comparator, primary endpoints, missing data, adverse findings, funding and limitations. Applying the same structure to every paper makes comparisons more consistent and reduces selective attention to striking results.
PRIMARY & OFFICIAL SOURCES
Sources and further reading
COMMON QUESTIONS
Questions specific to this topic
Where does critical reading start?
With the research question, protocol and prespecified endpoints, before the authors’ conclusions.
What does statistical significance mean?
It describes data compatibility with a statistical model; alone it does not describe size, certainty or practical importance.
Why check trial registration?
It helps compare original endpoints and analysis plans with what was ultimately published.