The purpose of this paper is to share with up-and-coming young researchers some of the important lessons the author has learnt on his research journey.,In researching the performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) (and, in particular, female-controlled SMEs), the author was very careful to ensure, as far as practical, that appropriate control variables (such as age of business, industry and hours worked) were included in the research design.,There are two key findings that emerge from the research the author has been involved with over many years. First, the very high SME failure rate often referred to in the literature and popular press is a myth. Second, the belief that female-controlled SMEs underperform male-controlled SMEs is also a myth.,Based on the author’s research experience, there are three key points the author would like to share with the young researchers. First, do not be afraid to question what might appear to be a generally accepted fact. Second, do not jump to a quick and what might appear to be the most obvious conclusion. Third, be aware that unintended consequences can often be associated with quick conclusions drawn from research where there has not been adequate attention paid to a study’s methodology/limitations.,The results from the research the author has been involved with highlight the importance of incorporating key control variables when assessing, and comparing, the performances of female- and male-controlled SMEs.

中文翻译：

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揭露/纠正中小型企业业绩不佳的神话

本文的目的是与即将出现的年轻研究人员分享作者在其研究过程中所学到的一些重要经验教训。研究中小企业（尤其是女性）的绩效控制的中小型企业），作者非常谨慎地确保在实践中将适当的控制变量（例如营业年龄，行业和工作时间）包括在研究设计中。从中得出两个主要发现。作者多年从事的研究。首先，在文献和大众媒体中经常提到的很高的中小企业失败率是一个神话。其次，相信女性控制的中小企业胜过男性控制的中小企业也是一个神话。基于作者的研究经验，作者想与年轻的研究者分享三个要点。首先，不要害怕质疑似乎是一个普遍接受的事实。第二，不要急于求成，这似乎是最明显的结论。第三，请注意，在没有对研究方法/局限性给予足够重视的情况下，意外结果通常可能与研究得出的快速结论有关。作者参与的研究结果突出了纳入关键研究的重要性。评估和比较女性和男性控制的中小企业的绩效时的控制变量。不要快速了解，这似乎是最明显的结论。第三，请注意，在没有对研究方法/局限性给予足够重视的情况下，意外结果通常可能与研究得出的快速结论有关。作者参与的研究结果突出了纳入关键研究的重要性。评估和比较女性和男性控制的中小企业的绩效时的控制变量。不要快速了解，这似乎是最明显的结论。第三，请注意，在没有对研究方法/局限性给予足够重视的情况下，意外结果通常可能与研究得出的快速结论有关。作者参与的研究结果突出了纳入关键研究的重要性。评估和比较女性和男性控制的中小企业的绩效时的控制变量。