Getting Underneath Data and Results

Over the years I have repeatedly emphasized to my students in empirical methods classes of the need to "get underneath" the data and results, particularly for secondary analyses. By that I mean researchers invariably benefit from on-the-ground insights into and outside perspectives on what their data (and research design) actually capture and results suggest. Kyle Graham's helpful post over at Concurring Opinion illustrates how this general point can work when evaluating a possible empirical project.