Data science is a multi-disciplinary field that uses scientific methods and algorithms to extract knowledge and insights from structured and unstructured data.

Recent advances in technology allows for the collection of enormous amounts of health-related data. Consequently, skills pertaining to handle and manipulate these data and to extract relevant information have become crucial to perform high quality research.

Unfortunately, many researchers without a technical background frequently experience troubles obtaining or developing these skills.

To form a truly educated opinion on a scientific subject, you need to become familiar with current research in that field.

And to be able to distinguish between good and bad interpretations of research, you have to be willing and able to read the primary research literature for yourself.

Reading and understanding research papers is a skill that every single doctor and scientist has had to learn. But like any skill it takes patience and practice.