Evaluating the quality of published studies and their outcomes is more complicated than is typically imagined. A great many different published professional guidelines have been developed to help researchers in reporting study findings and in understanding the adequacy of the study design, conduct, analysis, and interpretation when evaluating manuscripts or published studies. Lack of uniformity of appropriate standards makes it difficult for readers to properly assess the validity of empirical findings in the biomedical literature. Being able to recognize and understand flaws that commonly arise in clinical research is an essential skill for academic faculty in clinical departments. A checklist of issues to consider when reading published studies can be helpful. Dedicated efforts to apply the many different guidelines will likely improve the quality of reporting of biomedical studies and thus also bring benefit to individual health and society at large.