Evaluating Research and Assessing Research Papers

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Questions and Answers

What is one reason researchers evaluate published papers on a specific topic?

To peer-review a scientific paper

To make a systematic review (correct)

To assess the scientific output of candidates for academic posts

To introduce new technologies

When should researchers evaluate research papers?

Only during the implementation of the project

Before planning the research, during implementation, and before discussing the results (correct)

Only after completing the research

Only before discussing the results

What is the role of health professionals in research evaluation?

To introduce new technologies

To peer-review scientific papers

To critically assess the value of new published research (correct)

To plan new research projects

Who needs to evaluate research results and their implications?

Both researchers and policy makers Signup and view all the answers

Why is research evaluation important?

To inform decision-making and practice Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of assessing the scientific output of candidates?

To assess their suitability for academic posts Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the purposes of evaluating research?

To evaluate the return on investment by investors Signup and view all the answers

What should a good methods section provide?

Sufficient detail to allow other investigators to replicate the study Signup and view all the answers

What is an important aspect of sample selection?

Ensuring the sample is representative of the population studied Signup and view all the answers

What should be considered when designing a research study?

Both the research question and resources available Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum power required for a sample size to be considered adequate?

80% Signup and view all the answers

What is the advantage of random assignment over systematic assignment?

It is more advantageous Signup and view all the answers

What should be done when comparing two samples?

Select one sample to be identical to the other in every way, except the one to be studied Signup and view all the answers

What is an important aspect of the title and abstract of a research paper?

They should give an indication of the novelty and relevance of the paper Signup and view all the answers

What is an important factor to consider when evaluating the credibility of a research article?

The author's expertise in the field Signup and view all the answers

What does a high citation count indicate about a research article?

The article is highly influential in the field Signup and view all the answers

What should a bibliography or references section include?

Scholarly sources that are authorized by individuals with authority in the field Signup and view all the answers

What is an important consideration when evaluating the methodology of a research study?

The study's control of confounding variables Signup and view all the answers

What should a discussion and conclusion section of a research article include?

A discussion of the study's limitations and generalizability Signup and view all the answers

What is an important ethical consideration in research?

The protection of human subjects Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to evaluate the relevance of sources in a bibliography or references section?

To ensure the sources are relevant to the topic Signup and view all the answers

What is an important aspect of evaluating a research article?

The article's relevance to the topic Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Importance of Evaluating Research

Research needs to be evaluated by investors to assess the return on their investment
Evaluating research is crucial to discard what is not effective and potentially harmful, promote what is effective but underutilized, and postpone decisions when evidence is lacking

Assessing Research Papers

The title and abstract of a paper should indicate its novelty and relevance
The research question should be clear, with terms clearly defined
Attention should be given to errors in logic regarding causation, relationship, or association
The methods section should be the first part of the paper to assess, as it determines whether the science is good or bad
A good methods section should provide sufficient detail to allow other investigators to replicate the study and confirm the results

Sample Selection and Measurements

The sample should be representative of the population studied and have an adequate sample size with sufficient power (at least 80%)
Representativeness depends on selection and assignment, with random assignment being more advantageous than systematic assignment
If two samples are compared, they must be selected to be identical for every relevant variable, except the one being studied

Research Design and Evaluation

Research design should be appropriate to the research question, considering resources of time, money, and number of researchers
Evaluation of research should be done before planning, during implementation, and before discussing results and communicating them

Critical Evaluation of Research

Researchers, policymakers, and health professionals need to critically evaluate research to assess its value and practical application
Authors' credentials, including their expertise and citations, are important indicators of the article's credibility
The bibliography should list scholarly sources that are relevant, up-to-date, and authorized by experts in the field

Additional Items for Critical Evaluation

Control of confounding variables
Discussion and conclusion, including limitations of the study and generalizability
Ethics, including adherence to ethical standards
References, including their relevance and credibility

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Description

Learn how to evaluate research and assess research papers by understanding the importance of evaluation, how to identify novelty and relevance in a paper, and how to define research questions clearly.