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    January 7th, 2009 | xn--sssq74asss.com | edit

  • BRIEFLY DESCRIBE THE CRITERIA THAT YOU WOULD USE TO DECIDE IF A PUBLISHED RESEARCH PAPER WAS SCIENTIFICALLY SOUND.


  • As a PhD researcher, the one method for determining if the research is sound is by it's ability to be replicated. If no other lab, other than your own can perform the experiment, most scientists will have doubts about the research protocol and the research results.


  • Research might look well done, when a publication of that research is well written. However, since it is possible to fabricate data, as shown repeatedly today, in various research areas, the quality of any research publication, must be determined by the ability of all capable investigators to replicate the protocol and the research results.


  • To determine if a research paper is scientifically sound, it must satisfy the following criteria:
    Thesis
    The paper must have an idea that it is trying to prove.

    Hypothesis
    A prediction of what the results of the experiment will be.

    Manipulated Variable
    There must be some sort of variable that is pulled through a range to test or prove the thesis.
    Responding Variable
    Basically the results of the experiment for each value of the manipulated variable.
    Controlled Variable
    All other variables (besides Manipulated Variable) that must be kept constant to retain the validity of an experiment.
    Anecdotal Evidence
    A proper research paper should NOT have anecdotal evidence (ex. "I have a friend who told me that water expands when it gets hotter")
    Experimental Error
    Error must be clearly defined. EVERY experiment has some degree of error.
    Sample Size
    The number of times the experiment is repeated, for a scientific research paper, this number should be fairly high for accurate results.
    Observations
    Qualitative and Quantitative observations made during the experiment. These must be clear, concise but must not contain interpretations of data. Everything must be recorded straight from the experiment
    Bias
    A research paper should not have bias. Everything must be scientifically proven.
    Conclusion
    Every research paper should finish with a conclusion, declaring whether the thesis is true or false.
    If the research paper satisfies the above criteria, then it is most likely scientifically sound.
    Hope that helps.

    -Tox-ga