Common Mistakes in Student Research


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	Introduction

	Incomplete Search of the Literature

	Selective Attention to Study Findings

	Haphazard Sampling

	Poor Controls

	No Pilot Test

	No Manipulation Check

	Failing to Check the Data Before Testing Hypotheses

	Low Power/Sample Characteristics

	Unwillingness to Draw Conclusions

	Drawing Conclusions Not Supported by the Data

	Final Suggestions

	Summary

	Workshop Quiz

No Pilot Test		< back		16 of 34		next >


	Many things can go wrong in a study, especially when you are new to research. A preliminary trial or pilot test of the study is a very helpful way to identify problems. In most pilot tests, we ask 3-5 participants to go through the whole study from informed consent through the debriefing so that we can learn about and correct any problems. This is a simple task but one that many students omit, often because they have waited too long to collect their data and deadlines are looming ahead.
There are some specific aspects of the research that you always want to look at when you do a pilot test: believable description of the study, the amount of time it takes to complete the study, any problems with the data collection process, whether the participants guessed the hypothesis of the study, and any questions the participants have about the research. We will address each issue individually.