NACIONAL EMCNEMC website editorial · Published 30 October 2026 · Practical explainer
Begin with the question
Check that the research question is stated clearly. A field observation, a qualitative interview and a representative survey answer different kinds of questions.
Read the methodology
Look for geography, field dates, sample size, recruitment or sampling method, questionnaire and quality checks. Note missing information before interpreting the findings.
Separate evidence from inference
A quotation illustrates one participant’s account. A percentage describes the sample and its method. Neither should be presented as a universal fact without a defensible basis.
Use findings within their limits
Record sponsor and source information where applicable. Keep uncertainty visible and avoid treating a research estimate as a guaranteed prediction.