<P>This book aims to make the readers better informed and more critical consumers of clinical research. It will help the reader recognize the strengths and the weaknesses of scientific publications. In doing so, the reader will be able to distinguish patient-important and methodologically sound studies from those having limitations in design, conduct and interpretation. The text is basic and has no statistical formulas. Key take-home messages are listed at the end of each chapter. Cartoons make the text easier to read and generate a few laughs, and they underscore specific points, sometimes in a provocative way.</P>
