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.