Appraising Quantitative Studies Paper

What factors must be assessed when critically appraising quantitative studies (e.g., validity, reliability, and applicability)? Which is the most important? Why?

Proposing the Solution

The main factors that should be considered when appraising quantitative studies include applicability, reliability, and validity. The research validity is important because it helps the researcher determine the studies with the strongest conclusions made from the study. A valid quantitative study has accurate results which are obtained from the correct method of measurement (Elwood, 2017). As such, a valid study is applicable in real world scenarios because the findings and results obtained tend to be reliable.Appraising Quantitative Studies Paper

ORDER A PLAGIARISM -FREE PAPER NOW

            The applicability of the quantitative study refers to the extent to which the results derived from the study can be applied in a real world setting. When appraising the quantitative studies, the researchers must assess the applicability of the results. If they are absurd and inapplicable, the study should not be used in any evaluation.Appraising Quantitative Studies Paper

Lastly, it is imperative to assess a quantitative study in terms of its reliability; which is the trustworthiness of the research methods and instruments used in the study to collect and analyze the data (Elwood, 2017). Therefore, part of the reliability of the research study should be the generalizability of the study through actions such as hypothesis testing.

In my opinion, I think that all these factors are important when appraising an article and that without one of them, it would not be recommended to utilize a quantitative study that lacks one of these factors. Additionally, a reliable study must have applicability and validity, therefore, I think it is also nearly impossible to find a reliable article that lacks either of the factors addressed in this paper. Therefore, I think that all factors are critical when appraising an article and since all are correlated, none can exist without the other.

References

Elwood, J. (2017). Critical appraisal of epidemiological studies and clinical trials. Oxford University Press. Appraising Quantitative Studies Paper