Q&A: Finding credible research
Description:
How can I tell if research is credible and where can I find it?
Because most education research, like social science research in general, cannot claim the objectivity of experimental research, much of the confidence we place in it depends on our trust in the researchers themselves. Knowing who carried out the research and where it is published are good indicators of quality.
What should you be wary of?
Most research is as objective as the research question and the method chosen. You may find that some journals and organizations have an ideological slant that is reflected in their published research. Ideological stances are often conveyed as arguments based on research, but a closer reading reveals them as opinions wrapped in anecdotes. Like qualitative evidence, anecdotal evidence cannot be generalized because it’s not known whether the phenomenon is an exception or not. Unlike qualitative studies, anecdotes are not systematically collected through specifically defined protocols. Instead, anecdotes are stories gathered haphazardly and cannot be validated. Hot-button topics such as charter schools and high-stakes testing are particularly prone to anecdotes masquerading as research. (Authors).
For further information follow the above URL to the full article.
Content:
Type of Resource:
Brief
Publication Date:
2007