Research studies constitute educational and medical investigations among others. When comparing the two types of inquiries, they have some differences and similarities between them. In educational research, the primary aim is to investigate knowledge in order to come up with new information. The investigation of knowledge happens because of the need to extend it. Educational research also seeks to solve problems in certain aspects of the education sector.
The truth will enable learners and scholars to learn further. In the process, many of them will apply the problem-solving criteria in dealing with their educational issues. On the other hand, in medical research, the inclusion of patients suffering from various diseases helps to come up with the conclusion and recommendations. The patients provide vital information that aids and validates the information collected.
In relation to the information gathered from patients, medical research gives patient-feedback a higher priority than information gathered through other methods. The feedback that they provide offers a clear perception of the real picture. At the same time, the information helps to come up with evidence-based practices that will work well in the research studies. Both medical and educational research does not require ethical approval to conduct the analyses. Hence, they have this aspect of a similarity among them.
In reviewing medical research, it is important to look at the disclosures of the study. The disclosures identify the source of funding for the research study in the review. After knowing the source, it will turn out that a researcher will know if the study was conducted rightfully with sufficient financing or not. Knowing the authors of the study helps in identifying the extent to which the information presented in the study has trusted information.
Authors that have proper and valid credentials will provide useful information for future research. However, authors without good credentials provide loopholes for their information for it becomes hard to trust it. In medical research literature, the researcher uses certain criteria in conducting the studies and coming up with relevant information. For example, the study can show how the patients engaged, the number of patients that responded and if they had informed consent about the study.
The information that goes beyond the abstract makes such a study valid. In addition, a researcher knows that the survey’s playground happened while following legal and ethical guidelines. On the other hand, checking on the results of the study helps a researcher. For example, the results assist in knowing what it has offered to the reader. If the results support the actual data, it turns out that the research will work well in the literature review process. Lastly, knowing the originality of the work will also validate the information.
In conducting special education research, there are various challenges incurred. For example, obtaining the legal right to do the research does not come easy. As a result, researchers move carefully to ensure that they do not go outside the required limitations. In this type of analysis, using more than one method works well for the study. As a result, the mixing of methods presents a challenge because a researcher takes more time than expected in finishing the project. A high level of autonomy also presents a challenge.
Thus, collaborative efforts between researchers and educators will assist the process to go on as earlier planned. However, these challenges are avoidable if the researchers explore various avenues of dealing with them.