Quality of research is more important than quantity of research. Quality research is credible and authentic. Research quality also depends upon objectivity in the research, and it must be unbiased. You must find quality sources for your research. Similarly, you will also need to assess the quality of your research paper to enhance its accessibility to the readers.
Moreover, the quality of research depends upon its contribution to the existing body of knowledge. But how do you assess the research quality? There are some key considerations to evaluate the quality of research. This article will tell you about key considerations to examine the quality of research.
What Is Quality Research?
Quality research refers to research which fulfils the scientific criteria. Research quality depends upon the implementation of scientific processes. The following scientific processes are necessary for ensuring the quality of research:
- Appropriate research design
- Clearly articulated research problem
- Specific and Precise Research questions
- Appropriate research methodology
- Sample selection and data analysis
- Preventive measures to avoid biasness and ensure data validity and reliability
How Do You Determine The Quality Of Research For Quantitative Research?
Quantitative research encompasses empirical data and hypothesis testing. Reliable quantitative research must use appropriate deductive and inductive methods to validate or refute a theory or hypothesis. Most of the people who are unable to do it on their own, get dissertation help online from suitable writers in this regard. There are four methods to assess the research quality of quantitative research.
Internal Validity
Internal validity is the first key consideration in assessing the quality of research for quantitative studies. The internal validity of research depends upon its ability to identify causal relationships between the independent and dependent variables. It means that internally valid research is explanatory. Moreover, the internal validity of research depends upon the minimised interference of confounding variables. Confounding variables refer to those variables that are beyond the research’s control. These variables affect the causation and often lead to erroneous relationships. So, internal validity refers to the certainty that any change in the dependent variable was only due to the independent variable. There were no other factors which played a role in causing the change in the dependent variable.
External validity
External validity is the second factor responsible for determining the quality of research. External validity refers to the applicability of the research’s key findings to the general population. It means how capable the key findings are of explaining other conditions, environments and people on a general level. Quantitative research seeks to generate generalised results that are applicable to the real world. Therefore, external validity is the key consideration in assessing the quality of research. Researchers can determine the external validity of quantitative research in the following manner:
- The sample size must be representative of the entire population
- The results should be applicable to the general population
- Data collection, analysis and experimental methods should be replicable
Reliability
Reliability is the third key consideration in assessing the quality of research. Reliability refers to the consistency with which a methodology evaluates something. The measurement techniques employed by the researcher are reliable if the results can be replicated using similar methods under the same conditions. In general, it is the ability of the research methods that can replicate the results using the same methods and instruments. Researchers determine the reliability of research by doing the following:
- Check the consistency of results over time.
- Assessment and replication of results by different researchers
Objectivity
Objectivity is the last key consideration in determining the quality of research for quantitative studies. Research is objective if it does not reflect the researcher’s personal beliefs and cultural values. However, maintaining objectivity in research is quite difficult except for natural sciences.
How Can You Assess The Quality Of Research For Qualitative Research?
The key considerations for determining the quality of research for qualitative studies are different from quantitative studies. Qualitative research is non-numerical and open to multiple interpretations; therefore, the following key considerations are important for determining the quality:
- Credibility
- Transferability
- Dependability
- Conformability
Credibility
The credibility criteria entail determining whether qualitative research findings are trustworthy or convincing from the standpoint of the research participant. The research participants are the only ones who can determine the credibility of the qualitative research. It is because the goal of qualitative research is to explain or interpret phenomena under study through the eyes of the participants. Researchers can confirm the credibility of qualitative research in the following manner:
- Using multiple data sources for the research
- Using mixed methods approaches such as quantitative and qualitative methods
- Involvement of more than one researcher in conducting the study
- Using more than one theory for the theoretical framework of research
Transferability
External validity, or generalising key findings of a study, refers to transferability. A detailed account of the study setting and basic assumptions can help in transferability. The research findings could be funnelled from the primary research setting to an identical setting by providing that information. Researchers can determine the transferability of research in the following manner:
- Researchers can replicate the same data collection methodologies in several environmental settings.
- Incorporating the practical aspects of the applicability of the study’s findings.
Dependability
Dependability is similar to reliability, which refers to replicating the methodologies and analysis. Reliability is not possible in qualitative research, unlike quantitative research. So, researchers determine the dependability of qualitative research in the following manner:
- A general comprehension of the entire research
- Assessment of logical flow of arguments
- Consistency throughout the research across all sections, such as research questions, methodology and analysis
Conformability
Conformability is the last key consideration in assessing the quality of research for qualitative studies. Researchers reflect on their research and corroborate the key findings by comparing them to other studies. Moreover, the researcher also reflects upon his or her findings. The researchers have to take a critical approach to the research and identify any biases. It is an ability to be receptive to criticism and understand the potential flaws and limitations in the study.
Conclusion
The key consideration to ascertain the quality of research seeks to validate the credibility of the research. There are different benchmarks for determining the research quality of quantitative and qualitative research. Researchers can easily use the benchmarks mentioned above to ascertain the research quality.