Some problems exist that one should be aware of when evaluating statistics. When statistics are used in research, their use adds strength to the analysis of a problem. However statistics are manipulated easily because of their complexity. Issues can exist from the beginning of a study, such as data collection problems, to the final analysis of results. Within the present discussion, a variety of statistical issues will be examined from the start of a study to the conclusion, in order to gain a better insight into statistical evaluation.
One issue to pay attention to is where the funding for a particular study came from. It is important to know who collected the data, and who analyzed the data. It is also important to know where the data was collected. This is vital information because if a researcher is attempting to discover something about a particular geographical region, studies that were conducted in other regions or smaller regions may not be useful or applicable. On the other hand, if a researcher wishes to study a small region, larger national samples may not be representative. Because of these issues one should also pay attention to important details regarding where data was collected.
When evaluating statistics, one should also pay attention to why the data was collected, and what previous research or event prompted the study being utilized. Some statistics are completed to support a specific viewpoint or theory. The evaluation of statistics also requires an awareness of when the data was collected.
If data is older, or was collected to determine generational changes significant events such as war, recession, or national emergencies may have had an effect. For example, election poll data tends to change very quickly. Because of the rapidity of change, one should pay attention to when the data was collected.
Knowing what types of questions were asked in a study is also important for the proper evaluatio...