The research method shares a few common, desired qualities. It is important to note that there is overlap in the definition and application of certain traits. They guarantee that the research is devoid of prejudices, biases, and subjective mistakes.
- Accuracy: This metric assesses whether research instruments have been chosen as carefully as possible, and it is intimately tied to validity. It also indicates the extent to which research procedures, instruments, and tools are related to one another.
Does the research problem fit the research procedures?
Accuracy is checked at every stage of the study process using strict scientific methods and procedures. As a result, selecting the most effective data collection technique enhances study accuracy.
- Objectivity: This denotes the absence of prejudice in the research. Around it, all other traits are constructed. Researchers typically take great care to ensure that their presence, actions, and attitudes have no bearing on the results. They evaluate the study critically.
- Validity: In this context, validity in research mostly refers to the precision of methods, tools, assessments, etc.
Another way to think about validity is to ask yourself, “Are we measuring?” or capable of measuring what we had set out to measure. For research to be considered valid, it must be impartial and devoid of systematic errors, as these can affect the research’s application. Research moves in the wrong direction when it lacks legitimacy. Validity is generally regarded as being far more significant than reliability. Effective definition of ideas is essential to prevent measurement errors and to keep the research moving in the right direction.
4. Reliability: Consistency is what reliability means in the context of research. It describes the degree to which a study yields reliable findings. Another word for it is verifiability. If a study consistently produces results that are comparable and is conducted with comparable techniques in the specified setting and with comparable procedures, the research is deemed reliable. Assume that a study is done on how children perform in class and that watching TV lowers grades. If this conclusion is supported by data from another sample of the population using the same research methodology, we can declare that both the research methodology and the findings are trustworthy.
5. Generalizability: It speaks to the extent to which study results can be extrapolated to a broader demographic. Since the sample under consideration is typical of the entire population, the conclusions drawn from it should likewise apply to the entire population.
6. Credibility is the application of the best methods and information sources in research. Utilizing secondary data lowers costs and saves time. However, there is a chance that the research’s credibility will be weakened if secondary data is overused when primary data is an alternative. Therefore, a trade-off between primary and secondary data must be made. Research is more credible when its references are accurate; conversely, research is less credible when its references are false.
7. Systematic: Research must be conducted in a methodical manner in order to be effective. This means that every phase of the process must come before the next. A number of techniques have been tried and true over time, making them appropriate for use in research. Consequently, a set protocol should be followed for every study project.
Find the objectives of research here