Review of Research Paper

Review of Research Paper

This paper is based on analysing the quality of the research paper named as “Phenotypic differences between male physicians, surgeons and film stars: Comparative study”.

Title

According to the title of the paper, all the key terms are identified. The title identifies the objectives of the assignment. The purpose of the paper is to test the hypothesis that, on average, male surgeons are taller and better looking than male physicians, and to compare both sets of doctors with film stars who play doctors on screen

Abstract

Abstract of the research paper summarises all sections of the report. Even intervention and Main outcome measures are also mentioned in the study. However key methodological components of the paper are not conveyed clearly. Comparative study analysis should be discussed in detail.

Introduction

The key terms of the paper are: phenotypic, male physicians, surgeons and film stars. There was no literature review used. There is no literature is evaluated appropriately in terms of the research methodology and findings. However hypothesis are clearly stated in the research paper.

Surgeons are the only doctors who practice what has been called “Confidence-based medicine”, which is based on boldness. Surgeons are significantly taller and better looking than their physician counterparts. However, film stars who play doctors get the highest ratings, when compared with real-life surgeons and physicians. The latter 'finding' does not really come as a surprise - after all, they are film stars; good looks are part of their bread and butter, besides acting skills (or the lack thereof, in some cases).

The authors of the paper attributed the increased height of surgeons as an evolutionary advantage. Increased height persumably makes surgeons more likely to be 'masters and commanders', being able to have a better view of and therefore exert tighter control of their natural turf - the operating theater. Physicians, on the other hand, are not usually surrounded by so many people in their 'habitat' - the patient's bedside. They tend to be shorter possibly due to the fact that they tend to hang stetoscopes round their necks, thus weighing them down, causing them to bow their head slightly forward and have a decreased perceived height.

Method

The description of sample is complete and accurate in the research paper. Random sample of 12 surgeons and 12 physicians plus 4 external controls (film stars who play doctors), matched by age (50s) and sex (all male). Devices, or scales, or measuring ...