The relevance of relevance in research (2024)

Review article: Biomedical intelligence

Vol. 143 No. 1920 (2013)

  • DavidMartin Shaw
  • Bernice S. Elger
DOI
https://doi.org/10.4414/smw.2013.13792
Cite this as:
Swiss Med Wkly. 2013;143:w13792
Published
05.05.2013

Summary

A new Swiss law requires that any research involving humans must aim to answer “a relevant research question”. This paper explains the relevance of the relevance criterion in research, analyses the Swiss and British guidelines on relevance, and proposes a framework for researchers and research ethics committee (REC) members that enables a clearer conception of the role of relevance in research. We conclude that research must be either scientifically or societally beneficial in order to qualify as relevant, and RECs therefore cannot avoid reviewing the scientific aspects of proposed studies. Normally only scientifically relevant studies can be of benefit to society, but research of low scientific relevance can nonetheless be relevant to society if it forms part of the education of new doctors and scientists.

References

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The relevance  of relevance in research (2024)

FAQs

What is the relevance of relevance in research? ›

Relevance considers the importance of the information for your research needs. A relevant information source answers your research question. To determine relevance, the purpose and bias must be understood. In fact, all aspects of evaluation must be taken into consideration to determine relevance.

How do you answer the relevance of the study? ›

To write a compelling significance statement, identify the research problem, explain why it is significant, provide evidence of its importance, and highlight its potential impact on future research, policy, or practice.

What is the relevance of the study in your research paper? ›

The significance of the study is a section in the introduction of your thesis or paper. It's purpose is to make clear why your study was needed and the specific contribution your research made to furthering academic knowledge in your field.

What is relevance of information in research? ›

Information is relevant when it helps you to answer your research question. You assess the information on the basis of format, content and degree of up-to-dateness.

What is the meaning of relevance relevance? ›

1. a. : relation to the matter at hand. b. : practical and especially social applicability : pertinence.

What is relevance and why is it important? ›

Relevance is simply the noun form of the adjective "relevant," which means "important to the matter at hand." Artists and politicians are always worried about their relevance. If they are no longer relevant, they may not keep their job. Someone without relevance might be called "irrelevant."

What do you write in relevance of research? ›

b. Some ways to begin your statement(s) of significance
  1. The particular significance of this study lies in the…
  2. We argue that this study moves the field forward because…
  3. This study makes some important contributions to…
  4. Our findings deepen the current understanding about…
Jul 20, 2022

How do you justify the relevance of a research question? ›

Relevant and original

Your research question should be developed based on initial reading around your topic. It should focus on addressing a problem or gap in the existing knowledge in your field or discipline. The question should aim to contribute to an existing and current debate in your field or in society at large.

How do you determine the relevance of a research topic? ›

One way to find a relevant topic is to look at the recommendations for follow-up studies that are made in existing scientific articles and the works they cite. From there, you can pursue quantitative research, statistical analyses, or the relevant methodology for the type of research you choose to undertake.

Why is it important to study relevance? ›

Relevance helps people determine the significance, importance, or usefulness of information, ideas, or actions in relation to a specific goal, question, or context. According to Dictionary.com, to know the relevance of something is to know why it matters or how it is important.

What is the relevance of research report? ›

A research report serves the purpose of presenting and explaining the findings of a research study. It is a means of communicating the methodology, results, and conclusions of the research to the scientific community and other interested parties.

Where do you find the relevance of a study? ›

The significance of a study must be stated in the Introduction section of your research paper. While stating the significance, you must highlight how your research will be beneficial to the development of science and the society in general.

How to answer what is the relevance of your study? ›

Typically you should write about your study's significance in the Introduction and Conclusions sections of your thesis. It's important to mention it in the Introduction so that the relevance of your work and the potential impact and benefits it could have on the field are immediately apparent.

How do you explain relevance in research? ›

The relevancy in research means that study which you are performing should be useful for others as well- and high relevancies mean research which you are performing has great potential to fill a gap in knowledge, especially if it's something people currently don't know about or understand very well!

What is an example of relevance? ›

the degree to which something is related or useful to what is happening or being talked about: What relevance does that point have to the discussion? I understand what you are saying but I don't understand the relevance to this discussion. The relevance of this novel to the current situation is striking.

What is the relevance of value relevance research? ›

Value relevance research is designed to establish the benefits of accounting values related with the valuation of the firm's equity. Value relevance is the reporting of accounting figures that have a prediction with respect to the equity market values.

Why is relevance in data important? ›

Data Relevancy is an aspect of data quality that determines if the data used or generated is relevant for migration into the new target system. Prior to any migration or implementation, it is essential to determine the data that will be ported from legacy (source) to new system (target).

Why is relevance important in choosing a research topic? ›

It's important, because choosing a relevant, significant, and interesting topic can prove that your research topic is easy to understand and learn , and furthermore it will also make your readers invested in your topic.

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