Perhaps an Unpopular Opinion, But I Love Research...

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Maybe it’s because I just love to learn. There’s just something about 

• taking a topic, 

• formulating a plan/theme, 

• finding research that agrees with you,

• and crafting it into a polished paper that I enjoy. 

How I approach authoritative research: 

Honestly, research can feel overwhelming. There’s so much information out there, and it’s not all accurate. My focus is simply on finding solid, trustworthy sources and making sure the information I’m using is reliable and well-supported.

When I start researching, I go straight to places I know are dependable:

• Peer-reviewed medical journals

• Professional clinical guidelines

• Government or academic medical databases, like PubMed or Medline

• And occasionally, trusted textbooks or reference manuals

I’m not looking for what’s popular, I’m looking for what’s proven.

Before I type anything into a search bar, I think and define what I’m actually trying to learn.

For example:

“What are the risks when [blank] is diagnosed late?”

Getting specific helps prevent “research spiral,” where everything feels relevant but nothing is actually helpful.

I look for Quality, not just Quantity: 

• How recent the source is

• How the study was done

• Who funded it or may have influence

• And whether multiple sources agree (most important)

Good research isn’t about finding one answer. It’s about noticing the consistent message across high-quality sources.

If I find something important, I look it up in at least one or two more reputable places.

This helps make sure the information is accurate and current, not outdated or taken out of context.

Authoritative research doesn’t mean you have to know everything.

It just means you:

• Start with reliable sources

• Stay clear about what you’re searching for

• And make sure the facts are supported and consistent