Pitfalls in Publications: How to Make the Most of the Data We Have

Presentation Description / Summary: Critical appraisal of the scientific literature is a core skill in specialist veterinary practice, underpinning evidence-based decision-making and clinical governance. Yet even experienced clinicians and researchers can be misled by methodological flaws, selective reporting, or overinterpretation of results. As the volume of veterinary and comparative publications grows, the ability to navigate limitations and extract clinically relevant meaning has never been more important. This 60-minute interactive session will use a fictional paper, designed for the session, to highlight common pitfalls. Participants will work through the paper using the PICO model (Patients, Interventions, Comparisons, Outcomes), learning to systematically evaluate study design, methods, results, and conclusions. Topics such as misinterpreting study hierarchy, confusing association with causation, underpowered datasets, misuse of statistics, selective reporting, and overstated abstracts will be explored in a practical, interactive format. Interactive discussion will allow participants to critique the fictional paper step by step, sharing experiences and strategies for identifying subtle flaws. The session will emphasise how to judge the clinical applicability of published data, recognise red flags in methodology or reporting, and approach abstracts and titles with a critical eye. By the end of the session, attendees will be equipped with structured tools to strengthen their own critical appraisal skills, improve integration of evidence into clinical practice, and contribute to advancing veterinary medicine through more robust interpretation of the literature.