Making Sense of Science Reporting

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/05/AR2008120502959.html

Key points:

1) Look for the evidence.

2) Give readers enough information to judge "the strength of a claim"

3) Report "how the news fits into what's already known about the subject,"

4) Follow-ups are important. (Because it's impossible sometimes to get it all on deadline.)

5) Look for context.

6) Look deeply into the numbers.

7) Who sponsored the research and who makes money from its findings?

Blood Test, Statin Afford Potent Shield, Study Says

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/09/AR2008110900852.html