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In any research study, the limitations are important to acknowledge. In this issue, Wolfson, Granstrom, Pomarico, and Reimanis (2013) clearly outlined the limitations in their study of the use of temporal artery thermometers in febrile patients. Usually authors write about the limitations of the research in the discussion section or ideally in a separate section immediately after the discussion section (Brutus, Aguinis, & Wassmer, 2013). Authors should identify a study's limitations, explain their importance and how they were minimized, and suggest how they might be overcome in the future (Laerd Dissertations, 2012). On the other hand, limitations should not be overemphasized as they exist in any investigation. Readers should understand what should be included in this section and determine if any limitations are missing.
Common Limitations
All research studies have both strengths and weaknesses, but the limitations in an article should be focused specifically on the research problem under study and not on general limitations of all studies (USC Libraries, n.d.). Limitations focus commonly on internal and external validity of the study. Internal validity addresses the rigorous conduct of the study, while external validity focuses on applicability of the findings to larger populations (generalization). These areas make the study a scientifically rigorous investigation. Some common limitations include the following:
* Sample size and selection. If the quantitative researcher used a convenience sample rather than a random sample, as is the case in most medical and nursing research, then difficulties exist in generalizing to larger populations; findings only can be suggestive (Simon, 2011). If the sample in qualitative research is not the best group of people to access for the knowledge the researchers are trying to obtain, this is a limitation (Clark, 2003).
* Lack of available data. Another limitation is missing data, particularly...