You could do:
"""
read_data(read_function, data_list)
Wrapper for calling an HDF reading function for each dataset, and then concatenating the result.
- data_list: A list of data objects to read
- read_function: A function for reading the data, or 'SD' or 'VD' for default reading routines.
Return single array of concatenated data values.
"""
function read_data(read_function::Function, data_list)
# note I change the order of args because it's more Julian this way
return stack(read_function, data_list)
end
# if you really want that string argument as well you could define something like
function read_data(functionname::String, data_list)
# now determine the function to call and just call
return read_data(myfun, data_list)
end