Making sense of evidence

Abstract

There is a constant stream of information emanating from psychiatric research. The challenge for the clinician to keep abreast of the latest research findings is huge. However, even more daunting is the task of making sense of the sometimes conflicting data. In this paper, we provide some examples of evidence that seemed to have been accepted with relatively little critical examination. We discuss how evidence may look plausible on the surface either because contextual factors have not been considered or because they fit into a pre-determined world view. We argue that, in the end, the process of making sense of evidence is not straightforward and that professional biases and social prejudices often influence decisions.