Generally, good research encompasses several aspects that are essential in determining how well a research project is and how extensively it covers the purpose for which it is meant to serve. Further, good research needs to explore its research objectives, ensuring that they are generally per measures vital in ensuring that the research paper is valuable, accurate, and serves its general-purpose (Chowdhury, 2015). Notably, different research fields have different research considerations; hence, the content and format of research can differ from one research field to another. Typically, conducting research is to identify, describe, or explain a concept or even predict a solution or, more commonly, answers to a situation (Taherdoost, 2016). The essay explores why credibility, validity, ethical guidelines, and accuracy are essential regarding research within the early childhood field.
Generally, research can be undertaken on either primary or secondary sources. In primary sources, the research undertaken involves obtaining original, first-hand, and unedited information. Research is usually undertaken in the secondary sources on edited materials such as journals (Chowdhury, 2015). Regardless of the sources used, the research work has to match credibility, validity, ethical guidelines, and accuracy.
Validity generally relates to the extent to which an indicator, a measure, or even data collection possesses the quality of usually being sound or correct, as far as can be judged. In research within the early childhood field, validity is vital since it shows the extent to which the research results measure the concept that they are generally required to measure. If research produces typically accurate results, the research measurements should be reproducible. High reliability in research usually means that the research measurements are typically valid (Taherdoost, 2016). Research information validity usually refers to the information’s relevance and appropriateness, specifically on the research questions and the directness and strength of the information’s association with the scrutinized concepts.
On the other hand, reliability or credibility generally refers to how we can rely on the data source, and therefore, the research data itself. In research, reliable information is typically data that is authentic, dependable, reputable, genuine, and trustworthy. Research data’s credibility in the early childhood field is mainly measured through its consistency (Shaw & Elger, 2013). Generally, reliability is vital in research due to the essential role in telling the extent to which the results of specific research can be reproduced when the research is generally repeated under the same conditions.
Additionally, accuracy is also a crucial aspect of research in the early childhood field. In research, accuracy generally represents the sensitivity to change. Precision can be used to measure accuracy. Generally, precision typically shows a measurements’ closeness to another measurement. Standard deviation is usually used to determine precision (Chowdhury, 2015). In research, accuracy plays a vital role in knowing how close the sample parameters to the population characteristics are.
Ethical guidelines are also vital to research within the early childhood field. Generally, some of the ethical guidelines in research include fair subject selection, scientific validity, informed consent, independent review, and the favorable risk-benefit ratio. Additionally, other ethics have honesty in the report data, results, methods and procedures, confidentiality, integrity, and objectivity (Shaw & Elger, 2013). Ethical guidelines are essential to research within the early childhood field since: they promote the research aims; they support the values required for collaborative work and support strong social and moral values.
Conclusively, these aspects interrelate with each other. Good research ought to consider each of the elements since they play a vital role in the research work’s success. There is a need to ensure reliability or credibility of the data source, the validity of the information, accuracy of the research measurements used, and ethical considerations vital for guaranteeing a straightforward approach to the research work.
References
Chowdhury, I. A. (2015). Issue of quality in qualitative research: An overview. Innovative Issues and Approaches in Social Sciences, 8(1), 142-162.
Shaw, D. M., & Elger, B. S. (2013). The relevance of relevance in research. Swiss Medical Weekly, 143(1920).
Taherdoost, H. (2016). Validity and reliability of the research instrument; test the validation of a questionnaire/survey in research. How to Test the Validation of a Questionnaire/Survey in a Research (August 10, 2016).