Introduction
Research consumer refers to people who understand the concepts of research extensively and are able to apply these concepts in the process of conducting a research. Since consumers are people who understand the qualities and the use of a given product, research consumers are people who understand the qualities of research and the application of research concepts. As a research follows a systematic process that involves planning, collection, analysis, and interpretation of data, research consumers have knowledge and skills that are necessary in the interpretation and application of research findings. The research findings should be valid and reliable for the research consumers to interpret and apply them in resolving human issues. Hence, the purpose of the essay is to examine research concepts learned during the course and their importance in research.
Use of Statistics and Ability to Review Research Articles
During the course of study, I learned about statistics as the process of gathering, examination, interpretation, and presentation of data. I have also acquired the knowledge that statistics entail all facets of data analysis such as designing research, sampling of subjects, administration of survey, performance of experiments, collection of data, and interpretation of data. With the knowledge acquired, I understand that to conduct a research effectively, the researcher should define and develop a research design. A research design comprises of methods and procedures that researchers use to conduct a research. The research design also defines the type of the study in terms of qualitative or quantitative study depending on the nature of data that it collects. Additionally, during the period I learnt that hypothesis is a supposition that a researcher put forward to test a given scientific assumption. According to Creswell (2008), the hypothesis allows researchers to test scientific assumptions while minimizing the occurrence of type I and type II errors. Researcher subjects a hypothesis to a scientific process of hypothesis testing, which results in its acceptance or rejection.
Furthermore, I understand that validity is a key element in determining the generazability of the research findings. The validity of research is a property of a measurement tool used in an experiment. It shows the extent or degree to which the research findings are reliable or reflect the accuracy of the findings as they are in field of study or on the target population. In other words, I have learnt that validity refers to the degree of conformity between the findings of research and the reality in the field of study. The external validity depicts the accuracy of the research instrument in measuring a given attribute, while external validity portrays the generalizability of the research findings. In addition, I now understand that reliability is the extent to which research findings can give dependable, consistent, stable, and workable results. Thus, for research findings to be valid, they should have a consistency irrespective of the number of times the researcher or other scholars perform the research process.
Good Consumer of Research
Good consumers of research are individuals who can learn, understand, interpret, and apply the concepts used in research. In the course of study, I learnt that a good consumer of research tries to discern the concepts of research. The consumer achieves this understanding through inquiries and constant search of information from primary and secondary sources. Since research is a systematic process that involves gathering, analysis, and interpretation of information, then a good consumer of research is a person who has expertise in research, interpretation of data, and application of research findings in resolution of problems. Gohen (2011) states that “the expertise comprises of factors such as the ability to think critically, evaluate ideas and issues, and produce answers used to solve present and future challenges” (p. 400). Thus, a consumer of research understands the use of research findings in resolution of problems in the society.
In the course, I realized that good consumers of research perform the study with the prime intention of providing practical results. The researchers and scholars employ findings of a study in provision of solutions to present and future challenges, which face an organization, society, and environment. During the course of study, I also realized the importance of teamwork and interpersonal skills in effective collection and interpretation of data. In the aspect of the application of research findings, the research consumers of research should be able to generalize research findings by applying them outside the setting of research. Therefore, during the period of study I acquired skills concerning application of research and discovered that sampling is very important in a research. I also discovered that before one conducts a research, it is paramount to choose target population and select a suitable method of sampling. Some methods of sampling are convenience, stratified, snowball, and random sampling procedures.
Conclusion
During the period of study, I have learnt many concepts about research, their importance, and relevance in the field of study. Additionally, I have realized the significance of performing good research that can give valid and reliable results, which are critical in solving present and future challenges facing a specific field of study as well as other related fields of study. I have also understood the need to apply social values such as honesty, sincerity, and teamwork when conducting research as it enables the researcher to get valid results, which are accurate and reliable.
References
Creswell, J. (2008). Educational Research : Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Qualitative and Quantitative Research. New Jersey: Upper Saddle River Publishers.
Gohen, N. (2011). Field of Research in Conflicting Enviroments: Methodological Challenges and Snowball Sampling. Journal of Peace Research, 48(4), 423-436.