Question

while calculating electric field should we include the sign of the charge in the formula?

Answer 1

No we should not..

Answer 2

not if we need the magnitude only

Answer 3

In my opinion, the only situation where the sign is not important is if you want just the magnitude (the absolute value) of the electric field in a given point in space.

Answer 4

so its important.

Answer 5

important :)

Answer 6

sign becomes important or not depending on this:
electric field is the force experienced by a unit charge(conventionally +ve to avoid confusion) due to some charge Q
say Q i9s +ve then my test charge(+ve) is gonna experience repulsion
if Q were -ve its gonna attract
the crux is that whatever u do to find the attractive or repulsive nature take the charges and compare them doing numericals attraction or repulsion properties are given the importance nowhere the sign matters