GAINESVILLE, Fla., Aug. 24, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- With the introduction of new terms such as “fake news” and “alternative facts,” one area of interest deserves attention is “fake research.” The latest report by the Institute for Public Relations outlines five methods for deciphering the quality of research we conduct, review, rely on, and share.
An infographic accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/da5de22d-95ee-4d71-b526-d6aaa5e15dcb
“We’ve seen a rise in research, especially through clickbaits on digital media, that’s widely shared and touted as fact, but it’s based on bad science or poor methodology,” said Dr. Sarab Kochhar, IPR Director of Research, and author of the report. “This guide will help communication practitioners become smarter consumers of research and help them use research in a responsible way.”
The guide offers an in-depth review of five questions to ask of research to help spot “fake” research:
- Is it generalizable?
- Is it unbiased?
- Is it transparent?
- Is it objective as possible?
- Is it ethical?
The full report can be downloaded for free on the IPR website and helps practitioners critically assess and analyze research as well as determine the extent to which it is generalizable, unbiased, transparent, objective, and ethical. An infographic summarizing the five questions can also be downloaded and shared.
To help practitioners become stronger researchers, IPR also offers an IPR Research Bootcamp, a one-day, step-by-step training on how to conduct and assess research, from planning to conducting to evaluation. Those interested in hosting or attending the IPR Research Bootcamp can contact Dr. Sarab Kochhar at sarab@instituteforpr.org.
About The Institute for Public Relations
The Institute for Public Relations is an independent, nonprofit research foundation dedicated to the science beneath the art of public relations™. IPR focuses on research that matters to the profession, providing timely insights and applied intelligence that professionals can put to immediate use. All research is available free at www.instituteforpr.org and provides the basis for IPR’s professional conferences and events.