Methodology

deHype aims to clarify the evidence behind health and science claims commonly found in media headlines, press releases, and public discussion. Our approach is designed to highlight what is known, what is uncertain, and where caution is warranted.

How deHype evaluates claims

1. Identify the core claim: We define exactly what the article or headline is suggesting. This helps prevent confusion caused by vague or exaggerated statements.
2. Trace the source chain: Headlines often draw on press releases, which in turn are based on original research publications. We track the claim back through each stage to find the original study and context.
3. Assess the evidence type: We check what kind of study is being reported—such as animal studies, observational research, randomised trials, or laboratory experiments. The type of evidence affects how strong or relevant the findings are for humans.
4. Clarify the results: We separate direct human health outcomes from indirect measures, such as changes in biomarkers, animal or cell findings, or results that may not easily translate to real-world situations.
5. Consider limitations and caveats: Every study has limitations. We highlight these, including issues like small sample sizes, short study durations, lack of replication, or unmeasured confounders.
6. State what the evidence supports—and what it doesn’t: We summarise the strength of the evidence behind the claim, noting if it is preliminary, indirect, or not yet supported by stronger research.

What deHype does not do

• We do not issue personal medical advice or make individual clinical recommendations.
• We do not claim certainty where none exists—uncertainty or lack of evidence is made explicit.
• We avoid hype language (such as 'breakthrough', 'miracle', or 'cure') unless clearly justified by robust evidence.

Why evidence literacy matters

Understanding how scientific evidence is generated and interpreted helps readers make more informed decisions and reduces the risk of misunderstanding or overinterpreting claims. deHype is committed to providing clear, cautious, and evidence-linked analysis to support public understanding.