Key questions in evaluating a research report: In brief, there are five key questions you, as a consumer of analytical work, should ask yourself as you are evaluating a research report.
1. What is the purpose of the analysis? Does the model chosen make theoretical and intuitive sense? Are all of the relevant variables in the model?
2. Does the model use empirically or experimentally generated data? Is the data appropriate for the purpose of the analysis? Is there potential for data problems to affect the overall outcome of the study?
3. Is the model properly specified? Does the functional form represent theory? Does the author indicate what other functional forms were considered and rejected?
4. What assumptions are used to derive the model? Is the model tested for its sensitivity to these assumptions?
5. Is the model both statistically and functionally significant?