Ruling Out Technical Explanations
This method involves systematically identifying and investigating potential technical limitations that could explain observed results, rather than attributing them solely to causal relationships. By ruling out these technical explanations, you can increase confidence in the validity of your findings.
Use this method when you need to ensure that observed results are not due to technical errors or limitations. It's particularly important when evaluating complex interventions or using sophisticated data analysis techniques.
Solves: Spurious results, invalid conclusions, lack of confidence in findings
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Step 1: Identify potential technical limitations (e.g., measurement error, sampling bias, data analysis errors). (15 min)
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Step 2: Investigate each limitation to determine its potential impact on the results. (Ongoing)
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Step 3: Take steps to mitigate or correct the limitations (e.g., improve measurement techniques, adjust for bias, re-analyze data). (Ongoing)
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Step 4: Document the limitations and the steps taken to address them. (15 min)
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Step 5: Assess the impact of the limitations on the overall conclusions. (15 min)
- Involve technical experts in the investigation.
- Be transparent about the limitations and how they were addressed.
- Conduct a sensitivity analysis to assess the impact of different assumptions on the results.
- Use a checklist to ensure that all potential technical limitations have been considered.