Media and headline framing

Cherry-picking

Selecting evidence that supports a claim while ignoring less favourable evidence.

What it means

Definition

Cherry-picking: Cherry-picking can make a claim look stronger than it is by omitting contradictory studies, null results, or important limitations.

What it can tell you

It can help clarify what sort of evidence or claim is being discussed.

What it cannot tell you

It cannot, by itself, prove that the headline is accurate or clinically important.

Headline trap

Why this matters in headlines

A supplement article may cite one positive small trial while ignoring larger negative trials.