Put the studies
side by side.
A small notebook for a big question: are these papers really answering the same thing?
Start comparing
Your study notebook
Keep the question, population, outcome and time frame together. Your notes are saved only in this browser when storage is available; clearing site data removes them. Download a copy to keep. Use study information, not personal medical details.
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Begin with one clear question.
Add a published example or start with your own paper. Add another study when you are ready to compare their methods and limits.
- Name the question.
- Keep the outcome and time frame exact.
- Write uncertainty beside the result.
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Your comparison
Keep each study’s own question and denominator. This table does not pool effects, rank treatments or determine whether studies agree.
Before comparing results, compare the questions.
These prompts are an original reading aid. For the methods behind them, follow the linked guides and their sources.
- Question and sample. Who or what was studied? Who was left out? Compare research questions
- Outcome and timing. Was the same event measured over the same period? Unpack an endpoint
- Numbers and uncertainty. Record the denominator, absolute result and interval. Read an interval
- What remains unknown? Record harms, missing information and the next document to find. Read the safety table