What aspect is crucial for determining the quality of research?

The impact factor and citations of a research study are crucial for determining its quality because they help gauge the study's influence and relevance within the scientific community. The impact factor reflects how often articles in a particular journal are cited, which can indicate the quality and significance of the research published in that journal. A high impact factor often correlates with rigorous editorial standards and a broader reach within the scientific community.

Citations serve as a metric of how other researchers view and utilize a study's findings, demonstrating its acceptance and application in further research or practice. A study that is frequently cited is typically considered a significant contribution to its field, suggesting that its findings are valuable and relevant.

While other factors such as sample size and study duration can affect the validity and generalizability of the study's findings, they do not necessarily reflect the study's overall quality in the same way that impact factor and citation count do. Moreover, researcher experience can influence the quality of research design and execution but does not inherently indicate the broader impact or acceptance of the research. Therefore, understanding the importance of impact factor and citations provides insight into a research study's role in advancing knowledge and practice in the field.