- Can experiments detect differences that matter?
I think that it is important to remember that while experiments can detect similarities and differences, it is true that not all of them matter. I think that when interpreting literature we need to look out for gaps in our understanding. We definitely do not have all the tools right now to look at differences without knowing exactly what it is that we are looking for
- Does the study show causation or correlation?
Whenever we are looking at a study it is important to determine the claims they end up making about their study. We need to be able to determine if what is being reported is causal or just correlation. I think it is really easy to assign causal relationships without that actually being true.
- What is the mechanism?
When 2 factors are correlated then there is some sort of relationship those two variables we are examining. This all comes down to mechanism. After something is determined to be related to something else, then we need to determine how those two things may be related.
- How much do experiments reflect reality?
They honestly do not. I think that in addition to microbiomes, when we are looking at the human body or any other biological systems, we need to understand that they are much more flexible than our experimentation system. There is no way experiments perfectly mimic reality, but they do represent aspects of reality.
- Could anything else explain the results?
This is an important question to ask in every study done. There are many confounding variables that could be presented and not discussed. It is extremely important to look at the results and not abandon specificity.