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Not all scientific studies are created equal - David H. Schwartz

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TEDEd Animation

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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.

Randomized clinical trials are considered the gold standard in determining cause and effect relationships related to human health outcomes.

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator David Schwartz
  • Director Katie Wendt
  • Producer Aaron Augenblick
  • Compositor Kristofer Wollinger
  • Narrator Addison Anderson

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