deHype terminology
Directness
How closely the evidence matches the claim, population, intervention and outcome being discussed.
What it means
Definition
Directness. Directness asks whether the study really tested the public claim. Evidence is less direct when it relies on animals, cells, surrogate markers, different populations or outcomes that do not match the headline.
What it can tell you
It can help explain why a report is cautious even when the underlying study is real.
What it cannot tell you
It cannot replace reading the source evidence, methods and limitations.
Headline trap
Why this matters in headlines
A study in cells is indirect evidence for a claim about treating patients.