For non-scientists: How often do we see an article in the media supposedly based on a scientific study: "mammograms and PSA tests are worthless," "vaccines cause autism," "coffee protects against heart disease," and so on. What do lay people make of all this contradictory information?

Each week we'll take one or two such current articles and discuss, as a group, the science on which the conclusion is based. We'll look at the misuse of statistics, bias, the necessity of doing a double-blind controlled study, the use of an animal model and other such sources of error and confusion.

Moderator: Clare McFarlane

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