Question

When evaluating research, what factors should be considered? Why are these factors important? Provide some examples to illustrate the importance of each factor.

Answer 1

When evaluating research, the following factors should be considered:

Sample size: The sample size selected for the experiment or research should be adequate and it should produce or generate unbiased results for the population under study. If the sample size is not adequate, then there would be increasing chances of biased results. Suppose, we are given a population of 10000 people for the study of average height and we only select a random sample of 50 persons, then this would produce biased results because the sample size is not adequate as compared to the population.

A proper method of sampling: It is important to use the proper technique of random sampling methods during the selection of a random sample from the population under study. If we do not use proper random sampling method, then there is a possibility of including a sampling bias in the results. Suppose researchers use simple random sampling method instead of stratified random sampling method, there would be a difference in results.

Validity and Reliability of the results: It is important that the results for the research study should be valid under any circumstances and they should be reliable in any condition. The values for confidence level and significance level should be set properly for increasing reliability of the results. Suppose, researcher use 80% confidence level for the experiment, and the results would not be valid most of the times.

Use of proper hypothesis tests: It is important to use the proper hypothesis test for checking any claim or hypothesis under study. It is important to check all assumptions for the test which we want to use for checking the claim under study. Sometimes we cannot use a parametric test and in this case, we should use an alternative non-parametric test instead.