Evaluating Research:
Research Methodology
Even if an author accurately reports the results of his or her research, the conclusions might not be valid. A poorly constructed research project will produce invalid results. Or, as the cliche states, "Garbage in. Garbage out." When analyzing the credibility of someone's research, you need to consider how the survey was worded, how the sample was chosen, which references were or were not consulted, and so forth.
When writing a research paper, you need to consult a variety of sources. A paper that only includes references to the Internet would lack credibility because academic journals and other types of print literature was not included. Even a research paper whose subject is "Internet Sites That Advance Health Care" should include references to academic articles from peer-reviewed journals such as:
 Baker, Laurence; Wagner, Todd H.; Singer, Sara; and Bundorf, M. Kate. "Use of the Internet and E-mail for Health Care Information: Results From a National Survey." Journal of the American Medical Association 289.18 (May 14, 2003): 2400+.
Geissbühler, A.; Boyer, C.; Slikke, J.W. van der; and Arvanitis, T.N. "The Medical and Health Internet: Today and Tomorrow." Technology and Health Care 11.5 (2003) 1+.
Oermann, Marilyn H.; Hamilton, JoJean; and Shook, Marley L. "Using the Web to Improve Seniors' Awareness of Their Role in Preventing Medical Errors." Journal of Nursing Care Quality 18.2 (Apr-Jun 2003): 122+.
Sullivan, Patrick. "US Agencies Policing Internet for Health Care Fraud." Canadian Medical Association Journal 168.12 (June 10, 2003): 1083.
Vass, Alex. "Health Literacy and Patients' Understanding". British Medical Journal 326.7402 (June 14, 2003): 1339+.
Please Note: The full text of these five articles can be found by searching Academic Search Elite on-line. If you are not sure how to use the on-line database, please consult Writing Fellows Worksheet #008, Utilizing Schoolcraft College's On-line Databases.
Discussion
Paul D. Morris did the research for Shadow of Sodom: Facing the Facts on Homosexuality while driving a taxi cab at night. His research sample was the gay men he drove home from the bar. Not surprising, his research demonstrated that gay men were alcoholic and sexually promiscuous; not unlike the population of heterosexuals who take taxies home after closing the bar. His results are not credible because his research sample was not representative of the homosexual community.
Special Notes on Web Pages
You need to consider the links from a web site as you evaluate its credibility. If the author only links to one type of information, there could be an unacceptable, built-in bias that might cause you to question the material found on the web site itself.
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