Reply Discussion Assignment Instructions

Post a reply toMichael'sPOST BELOW of at least (300) words. Your reply must incorporate at least 1 peer-reviewed, scholarly citation. Any external sources cited must have been published within the last five years. Acceptable sources include scholarly articles, the course textbooks, the Bible, etc.).

Here is the original Question:

Research assumptions, research limitations, and research delimitations are determined prior to conducting a research study. Many doctoral candidates confuse presumptions with assumptions. They also mistake research limitations for things a researcher can control.

• Describe research assumptions and provide one example,
• Describe research limitations, provide one example, and explain how the limitation in the example might be mitigated;
• Describe research delimitations and provide one example.
• Discuss how Biblical principles are related to reliability and validity.

========================================================

MICHAEL post

Discussion Thread: Assumptions, Limitations, Delimitations

By

Michael A. B

Assumptions, Limitations, Delimitations

In this discussion, we explore the intricate interplay between research assumptions, limitations, and delimitations, examining their implications for scholarly inquiry and the pursuit of knowledge across various disciplines. Additionally, biblical integration examines biblical principles, reliability, and validity.

Research Assumptions

Research assumptions can be defined as accepted or likely elements within a study that underpin the researcher's approach and methodology. Despite their significance in shaping the research process, the development and rationale behind these assumptions are typically omitted from the final write-up, resulting in an accountability gap (Wagner, 2020). Thus, understanding the underlying assumptions guiding the research process is essential for ensuring transparency and accountability. An example of a research assumption can be found in technology and the expectation that users will engage with digital interfaces per established usability principles. This assumption, common in fields like human-computer interaction and user experience design, presupposes that users will intuitively navigate software applications or websites, adhering to established design conventions and interface guidelines. However, this assumption may overlook user differences, including varying levels of digital literacy, cultural backgrounds, or accessibility needs, which can influence how individuals interact with technology. While researchers may assume adherence to usability norms, empirical validation through user testing is essential to ensure that digital interfaces effectively accommodate diverse user behaviors and needs across different contexts and demographics.

Research Limitations

The research limitations of a study refer to the imposed restrictions or potential weaknesses inherent in a particular study that are typically beyond the researcher's control. These limitations are closely intertwined with various factors, such as the chosen research design, constraints of statistical models, funding limitations, or other external factors (Theofanidis & Fountouki, 2019). Research limitations delineate the constraints within which a study operates, elucidating the extent to which findings can be generalized or conclusions drawn (Coker, 2022).

One example of a research limitation is evident in a study by Patterson (2021) examining the success factors among men of color in nursing education. The limitation arises from the lack of representation of men from other minority groups and graduates from associate degree prelicensure nursing programs in the participant pool. This limitation hampers the generalizability of the findings beyond African American men in community college, potentially overlooking unique perspectives and alternative themes for success that could have emerged from a more diverse participant sample (Patterson, 2021).

To mitigate this limitation, future research endeavors could adopt a more inclusive recruitment strategy, targeting a broader spectrum of men from various minority groups and encompassing graduates from associate degree programs. This approach would enrich the dataset with diverse viewpoints, thereby enhancing the comprehensiveness and validity of the findings. Additionally, conducting direct observations of institutions and nursing programs could provide valuable insights into institutional characteristics influencing participants' success, thereby augmenting the study's depth and contextual understanding (Patterson, 2021). By addressing these limitations through improved participant sampling and incorporating direct observational methods, future studies in this domain can offer a more comprehensive and nuanced exploration of success factors among men of color in nursing education, thereby enhancing the validity and applicability of their findings.

Research Delimitations

Research delimitations, derived from the Latin meaning to "fix or define the limits," refer to the conscious establishment of boundaries or limits by researchers to effectively scope their study rather than viewing the defined scope as a restrictive limitation (Alpi & Evans, 2019; Coker, 2022). These delimitations are essentially the limitations researchers deliberately set for their study to ensure its objectives remain achievable (Theofanidis & Fountouki, 2019). Delimitations arise from the conscious decisions made by researchers regarding the inclusion and exclusion of criteria, defining the scope of the study (Coker, 2022). Unlike limitations, which are often viewed as imposed restrictions, delimitations represent proactive decisions made by researchers to delineate the scope and focus of their work, ensuring clarity and feasibility in achieving research aims and objectives (Theofanidis & Fountouki, 2019).

An example of delimitations can be found in a study investigating the influence of parental involvement on high school student's academic achievement, where researchers may consciously establish delimitations to refine the study's scope. These delimitations could include restricting the study to a specific geographical region or school district to ensure homogeneity in socioeconomic backgrounds and educational policies, thereby enhancing internal validity. Additionally, the researchers might limit the study to specific demographic groups or grade levels to streamline data collection and analysis processes, facilitating more precise interpretations of parental involvement's effects across distinct student populations. By delineating these delimitations, researchers ensure methodological rigor, coherence, and meaningful contributions to understanding parental involvement's impact on academic achievement among high school students.

Biblical Principles, Reliability, and Validity

Reliability pertains to the consistency and reproducibility of measurements obtained through a particular instrument or methodology (Vetter & Cubbin, 2019). It concerns the degree to which the instrument yields the same results when applied under similar conditions with the same subjects. Conversely, validity addresses the extent to which an instrument accurately measures the intended construct or phenomenon of interest (Vetter & Cubbin, 2019). It questions whether the instrument truly captures what it purports to measure, reflecting the accuracy and appropriateness of the measurement process. Biblical principles resonate with the concepts of reliability and validity in various ways. Consistency, fundamental to reliability, finds resonance in biblical teachings emphasizing steadfastness, constancy, and trustworthiness. For instance, in the book of James 1:17, it is proclaimed, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning."(New King James Version Bible, 1982, James 1:17). This verse underscores the reliability and consistency of God's nature, implying a parallel with the concept of reliability in research, where consistent and reproducible results are sought.

Similarly, the concept of validity aligns with biblical principles of truth and authenticity. Just as validity concerns the accuracy and truthfulness of measurements in research, biblical teachings emphasize the importance of truth and authenticity in one's actions and intentions. In Ephesians 4:15, it is advised, "But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:" (New King James Version Bible, 1982, Ephesians 4:15). This verse underscores the significance of truthfulness and authenticity, mirroring the essence of validity in research, which strives to ensure that measurement instruments accurately capture the intended constructs or phenomena.

References

Alpi, K. M., & Evans, J. J. (2019). Distinguishing case studies as a research method from case reports as a publication type.Journal of the Medical Library Association: JMLA,107(1), 1-5. https://doi.org/10.5195/jmla.2019.615

Coker, D. C. (2022). A Thematic Analysis of the Structure of Delimitations in the Dissertation.International Journal of Doctoral Studies,17, 141-159. https://doi.org/10.28945/4939

New King James Version Bible. (1982). Nelsonword Publishing Group.

Patterson, L. D. (2021). Achieving success in prelicensure registered nursing programs: An explanatory case study of african american men.Nursing Education Perspectives,42(4), 216-220. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.NEP.0000000000000755

Theofanidis, D., & Fountouki, A. (2019). Limitations and delimitations in the research process.Perioperative Nursing (GORNA), E-ISSN:2241-3634,7(3), 155-162. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.2552022

Vetter, T. R., & Cubbin, C. (2019). Psychometrics: Trust, but verify.Anesthesia & Analgesia,128(1), 176-181. https://doi.org/10.1213/ANE.0000000000003859

Wagner, B. (2020). Accountability by design in technology research.Computer Law & Security Review,37, 105398. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clsr.2020.105398