Common Mistakes

Common errors in formulating a research study

• Putting off the selection of a problem; in other words, never quite getting started.
• Uncritically accepting the first research ideas that come to mind.
• Selecting a problem that is too vast or too vague to investigate meaningfully.
• Preparing an untestable hypothesis.
• Failing to consider methods of analysis procedures in developing a tentative research plan.

Common errors in reviewing the literature

• Carries out a hurried review of the literature.
• Relies too heavily upon secondary sources.
• Overlooking information on methods and measurements when reading research articles.
• Failure to define satisfactorily the topic limits of the review of the literature.
• Copying bibliographic data incorrectly and is thus unable to locate the references needed.
• Copying far too much material.

Common errors in use of standard measuring instruments

• Paying insufficient attention to establishing and maintaining rapport with the subjects.
• Weaken research design by making changes for administrative convenience.
• Failure to explain the purpose of measures used in the research to those collecting the data.
• Failure to evaluate measures thoroughly before selecting those to be used in research.
• Selects measures to use in research of such low reliability that true differences are hidden.
• Selects measures to use in research that he/she is unqualified to review.

Common errors in gathering research data

• The research fails to define the research population.
• Changes design in ways that weaken the research in order to make data collection more convenient.
• Attempts to collect too much data, making excessive demands upon the subjects.
• Attempts to carry out the study in one short period of time with no regard to actual time needed.
• Starts collecting research data without carrying out a pilot study.

Common errors in the use of statistical tools

• Selects statistical tool that is not appropriate or correct.
• Collects research data and then finds a statistical technique that can be used in analysis.
• Uses only one statistical procedure when several can be applied to the data.
• Uses statistical tools in situations in which the data grossly fails to meet the assumptions upon which the tools are based.
• Overstates the importance of small differences.
• Uses the incorrect correlation techniques.
• Uses an incorrect correlation significance table to interpret importance of findings.
• Does not take advantage of statisticians available to assist in computing importance of the study.

Common errors in research design and methodology

• The researcher fails to define the research population.
• Uses a sample too small to permit analysis of the performance of interesting sub-groups.
• Attempts to conduct his/her research using volunteer subjects.
• Changes his/her design in ways that weaken the research in order to make data collection more convenient.
• Attempts to collect too much data, making excessive demands upon the subjects.
• Attempts to carry out the study in one short period of time with no regard to actual time needed.
• Starts collecting higher research data without carrying out a pilot study.

Isaac S. & Michael WB (1995). Handbook in Research and Evaluation: a Collection of Principles, Methods, and Strategies Useful in the Planning, Design, and Evaluation of Studies in Education and the Behavioral Sciences.