Common mistakes made in research include motivated research questions, pursuing research fads, favored research methods and blind mining.

1 answer

Common mistakes made in research include:

  1. Unclear or Motivated Research Questions: Researchers sometimes begin with questions that are too vague, leading to unclear objectives. Additionally, questions may be shaped by personal biases or outside influences rather than genuine inquiry.

  2. Pursuing Research Fads: Researchers may chase trending topics or popular methodologies without considering their relevance or applicability to their specific context, potentially sacrificing the depth and quality of their work.

  3. Favored Research Methods: Researchers might consistently rely on familiar methods instead of selecting the most suitable approach for their research questions. This could lead to biased results or an incomplete understanding of the phenomena studied.

  4. Blind Data Mining: Engaging in extensive data collection without a clear hypothesis or analytical framework can result in findings that are misleading or lack context. This can be compounded by p-hacking, where researchers manipulate data to achieve statistically significant results rather than adhering to ethical research practices.

Being aware of these pitfalls can help researchers design more rigorous and impactful studies.