If you trust, it is noble but if you trust blindly, it creates destruction. While doing research, you cannot believe every data you receive. You need to have a critical thinking to confirm if the data is relevant to your brand.   

You need to make fact-based decisions for objectives to be more accurate. The research you do directly affects the decisions that you make. If you use irrelevant data, the crucial decisions of your organization can have errors in them.   

Each report and study need a critical thinking and practical approach before using it for organizational purposes. Accurate data results in better decision making and functioning of the institute. If as a top-level manager, you hold expertise to differentiate between professional research and false data your brand attains greater success.  

By the end of this blog, you shall have the knowledge that enables you to give critical thinking to your research. 

What Aspects of Research need Critical Thinking? 

Research is based on several aspects of the market, including the trends, the effect of the business environment on your industry, inflation rates, economic stability, consumer preference, competition level, taxation policies, etc. that affect it. 

You need to consider all these aspects while framing some plans or making decisions. Usage of incorrect data and false statements can sometimes lead to legal complications.  

Some of the detailed examples include:  

1. Absence of information in sources: While doing any research, you must note that the information regarding data sources should be complete. It should consist of data like:  

From what source?  

By whom? 

In what context?  

If any such data is missing, the source can be doubtful and provide incorrect information. Make sure to avoid these sources for more accurate research. The data fetched like that may create complications. Since it does not mention the complete information, credibility is all yours.  

For instance, if you are doing scientific research, and the source says, “A scientist once said that”, here you do not find the answers to any of the above questions. The name or any other information of the scientist mentioned is not given. So, the statement can be incorrect or misleading. 

2. Old information: We are in the era of rapid technological upgrades. Every day we find new innovations across the globe. At such point, if we use old or outdated data, it impacts the research. Try and use the latest data to get more accurate information and make your research effective. Using old data reduces the validity of research.  

Your research shall not be effective in the dynamic business environment if your technology is not upgraded. The organization will be lagging if you are making the decisions using such research. 

Suppose you are doing research based on data that was collected 20 years ago, and things have changed a lot till present. This shall affect the research and brand negatively. 

3. Small sample sizes: At present, we have approximately a population of 8.2 billion. So, if you are doing research based on the preferences of 1 million people and applying it to all, will it provide you with the required results?  

The answer is an obvious No to this question. Every country and region have people with different views, beliefs, and needs. While doing any research, you should try to consider as many samples as you can to know the variety of expectations they hold from your brand and products. 

Suppose you and your competitor are doing research. Target market comprises approximately of 1 million people. You decided to consider the sample size as 500 and your competitor decided to keep it at 300. In this case, your data will be more accurate than that of the other company. 

4. Origin of the research: It is important to know the origin of the sources through which you are framing the reports and research. If the sources are biased institutions, you cannot trust them. If the statements are controversial, you should avoid them as they increase the risk of uncertainties in the organization. 

Suppose you have done research from the source that is driven politically or used for marketing goals. In this case the data collected from this source will be showcasing the data that helps them fulfill their personal goals. You must avoid these sources and choose the ones that display original references. 

Conclusion 

Critical thinking is a crucial part that helps you make your research more accurate. You cannot trust every source that provides you with data, close monitoring is required before you choose it. You must ensure that the source is not biased and provides only practical facts. Any carelessness can result in the consequences that you have to face.  

The critical thinking, if ignored, can sometimes lead to legal suits as well. Be cautious whenever you seek data from any external sources for your research.