Respond to two or more of your colleagues

Michael

Research quality and design are critical to the credibility of a research study. If the quality of the material or the design is flawed, the study may lose believability. This week’s discussion analyzes the concept of research quality. I will define my opinion of the most crucial components for evaluating a research study. Lastly, I clarify how I ensure the research quality for my doctoral study while promoting positive social change.  

What is Research Quality?

Researchers prioritize research quality and design differently. Heale and Twycross (2015) noted that rigor refers to how researchers work to enhance a study through the quantitative measurement of validity and reliability. Guba and Lincoln (1985) provided trustworthiness as the qualitative measurement of credibility, transferability, dependability, and conformability. If a researcher neglects any of these elements, he or she places the impact of the study in jeopardy. Additionally, if not conducted correctly, research may produce results that do not align with the study leaving the reader confused. A quantitative study should examine variables, and a qualitative study should analyze non-standardized responses (Saunders, Lewis, & Thornhill, 2015). To me, research quality is when the author follows the correct methodology and validity, reliability, credibility, transferability, dependability, and conformability are evident. 

Evaluating Research Quality

I believe research quality stems from the amount of relevant data that proves or disproves the researched concept. If an author only finds one published article to confirm the research theory or the majority of the articles are over ten years old, I have a difficult time accepting the study. Walden University (2016b) recommends that 85% of a doctoral study’s references come from peer-reviewed research published within the last five years. Venkatesh, Maymone, and Vashi (2018) define a peer-review as an external evaluation by subject matter experts. An external assessment lends to the credibility of the study so finding multiple peer-reviewed studies should significantly increase the believeableness.

My Doctoral Research Quality

          I intend on evaluating my secondary resources with rigor to ensure they answer my research question as prescribed by Saunders et al. (2015). Including superfluous data does not help further my argument so I will also begin by ensuring the information is harmonious with my study and conclusions. Bias is another area I will seek and eliminate from my writing. Saunders et al. (2015) described researcher bias as a factor that induces a researcher to record responses in a biased manner. Using these tools, I should be able to ensure the research quality while promoting social change through the efforts of my study’s conclusions.

Conclusion

The quality of research may significantly affect the outcome of the study. It is vital that researchers provide relevant data that reflects the legitimacy of the study. For this discussion, I analyzed the concept of research quality. I then defined the most crucial elements for evaluating other’s research. Finally, I declared how I plan to ensure the quality of research for my doctoral study.

References

Guba, E., & Lincoln, Y. (1989). Fourth generation evaluation. Newbury Park, CA:Sage.

Heale, R., & Twycross, A. (2015). Validity and reliability in quantitative studies. Evidence Based Nursing, 18(3), 66-67. doi:10.1136/eb-2015-102129

Morse, J. M. (2015). Critical Analysis of Strategies for Determining Rigor in Qualitative Inquiry. Qualitative Health Research, 25(9), 1212-1222. doi:10.1177/1049732315588501

Saunders, M. N. K., Lewis, P., & Thornhill, A. (2015). Research methods for business students (7th ed.). Essex, England: Pearson Education Limited.

Venkatesh, S., Maymone, M. B., & Vashi, N. A. (2018). Peer reviews: The dreaded rejection. Dermatology Online Journal, 24(3). Retrieved from https://escholarship.org/uc/item/9h60v8r6

Walden University Doctoral Capstone Resources. (2016b). Doctoral study rubric and research handbook. Retrived from http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/doctoralcapstoneresources/dba

Dustin

The definition of research quality varies depending on what researcher is read and followed.  Brazil (2018), defines quality research by the importance of the research as defined by experts in the field.  Musa (2019), defined quality research as the control mechanics of the research about policies and other such instruments to fortify the research.  While these offer a varied approach to the research quality, I believe the research quality is best defined by the factual, unbiased effort placed into the work to offer a positive change to the field of study, and provide a well-rounded research product based on the researchers own thoughts and understanding of the materials.  For example, allowing the research to lead the study and not controlling the results of the study to fit within a specified box or copying someone else’s work as your own, without providing appropriate citations to signify their work from your own.

Critical Components of Quantitative or Qualitative Research Studies Evaluation.

            The critical components of qualitative and quantitative vary slightly in some regards but provide for quality research.  Overall, qualitative and quantitative research share the need for critical thinking, scholarly voice, a well-defined problem statement, a well-defined purpose statement, a detailed nature of the study, a central research question with the appropriate supportive theory or concept, a well detailed framework, and references from recent research (DDBA 8300: Qualitative and Quantitative Methodology for Applied Business Research, 2019).

My Methods of Research Quality to Promote Positive Social Change.

            The key factor when evaluating research quality is the aspect of positive social change, which is different from changing social aspects.  The positive social change is the direct effect the research will have on the career field, which holds the place of society.  The positive aspect is the type of impact it will have, as the research should not be a negative toned product, but one, which carries a positive message to the career field.  To promote the change, it is imperative that the research be honest and thorough as the need to effect the change will fall short and soil this aspect.  Maintaining a scholarly voice of the paper is essential, and the negative undertones of slander and discourse would not be prevalent.  The work must bring to light problems, but in a professional and holistic manner without being negative or compromising the research to prove the problem.

References

Brazil, T. (2018). The Measurement of Research Quality [President's Column]. IEEE Microwave Magazine, 19, 10-11. doi: 10.1109/MMM.2018.2823878

 DDBA 8300: Qualitative and Quantitative Methodology for Applied Business Research. (2019). Available from DDBA 8300 Week 7 Assignment Rubric. https://class.waldenu.edu

Musa, M. (2019). An Analysis of Quality Assurance Key Performance Indicators in Research in Ugandan Universities. International Journal of Instruction, 12, 1567-1584. doi:10.29333/iji.2019.121100a