When it comes to reading academic research reports in the behavioral sciences, I'm no different than anyone else. I often find myself thinking "what is the point?" Reading academic papers is not ...

University of Portsmouth provides funding as a member of The Conversation UK. Scientific evidence can be difficult to understand. Normally we can rely on experts to interpret it for us, or the media ...

Editor's note: All opinions, columns and letters reflect the views of the individual writer and not necessarily those of the IDS or its staffers. If you’ve ever approached a scientific research paper ...

Require many reliable sources to back up your thesis/claim. Take up a position and support it with evidence. Usually about events (historical or current), textual arguments, or personal interests.