Every day, we are bombarded by attention grabbing headlines that promise miracle cures to all of our ailments -- often backed up by a "scientific study." But what are these studies, and how do we know if they are reliable? David H. Schwartz dissects two types of studies that scientists use, illuminating why you should always approach the claims with a critical eye. [Directed by Katie Wendt, narrated by Addison Anderson].

David Schwartz: Not all scientific studies are created equal

Not all scientific studies are created equal

Randomized clinical trials, the gold standard in human studies, demand rigorous conditions to isolate the effect of new medications.

Epidemiological studies observe natural behaviors to suggest health associations, but can't conclusively prove cause and effect.

Multiple, well-conducted epidemiological studies, rather than a single study, are crucial to identify true health hazards.