Difference between assumptions and limitations in research?

Answer 1

An assumption is something that you expect to be true even though it may not be. For example, you may assume that everyone who participates in a research study and completes a questionnaire will be honest in their responses. This is an assumption that you make as a researcher. If you were to assume that no one will be honest, then you probably wouldn't do the study because the results wouldn't be accurate.

A limitation is something that you expect will impact the results. It's often a "negative" so-to-speak. For example, a limitation could be that only 10 out of 75 people you asked to participate in the study actual did. Since you have fewer numbers, the accuracy of the results is less than what you probably hoped for.

So, an assumption is something you "assume" about the participants in the study or the study setting. A limitation is something that could or did occur that you need to come forward with and explain because it may influence the accuracy of the results of your study.

Hope this helps.