Where do geeks go for geek info?
I’m detouring a bit this week on Geek Fit Friday to talk about where I like to find my fun geek fit facts that I share here and on Twitter.
- Science Daily. This HAS to be a staple for anyone interested in keeping up with the latest in the sciences. The volume of information can be overwhelming at times, and some of the studies may leave you scratching your head and wondering “did someone REALLY pay for that study” but it’s a great source.
- NHS Choices. Because there are a lot of studies out there that are complete garbage (not double-blind, insufficient sample size, conditions no way minic the real world) they must all be read with a certain amount of skepticism and a sharp eye. This is where NHS Choices comes in. The UK National Health Service (NHS) has a brilliant column where they dissect recently published studies, explaining the flaws in the study and why you can’t necessarily believe what is reported. It provides some context as to why in the same week you can read “wine is good for you” and “wine will kill you.”
- Google Scholar. I have to admit, I JUST found this service, and it’s still in Beta, but I’m excited about it. It ONLY searches research publications, helping reduce the noise to signal ratio that exists on the larger web. If anyone has significant experience with Google Scholar and can let me know how well it works, I’d love to hear it.
Great information exists everywhere, don’t get me wrong. I just wanted to share a few of my personal favorites with you, along with the ever-helpful reminder — don’t believe everything you read. Even in science abstracts.
