Book excerpt: Essential Guide to Reading Biomedical Papers: Recognising and Interpreting Best Practice is an indispensable companion to the biomedical literature. This concise, easy-to-follow text gives an insight into core techniques and practices in biomedical research and how, when and why a technique should be used and presented in the literature. Readers are alerted to common failures and misinterpretations that may evade peer review and are equipped with the judgment necessary to be properly critical of the findings claimed by research articles. This unique book will be an invaluable resource for students, technicians and researchers in all areas of biomedicine. Allows the reader to develop the necessary skills to properly evaluate research articles Coverage of over 30 commonly-used techniques in the biomedical sciences Global approach and application, with contributions from leading experts in diverse fields