Table of Contents
Trustworthiness in Qualitative Research
Trustworthiness in qualitative research is vital to the credibility of the findings it produces. A trustworthy study should produce findings that are unbiased and representative of the information provided by participants. This means that the results should speak for themselves and not be skewed by unconscious or conscious biases. To ensure this, qualitative researchers should document each step in the data analysis process, and keep an audit trail of the data.
Transferability
Transferability is a measure of a study’s ability to apply its results to other contexts. Known as generalizability, it is also important for qualitative research because it can help other researchers to understand and evaluate the study’s findings. Although transferability cannot be guaranteed 100 percent, there are some practices that can help researchers determine if their findings can be transferred.
Dependability
Dependability is one of the most important qualities in qualitative research. It helps researchers determine whether their findings are consistent and repeatable. This is done by ensuring that the findings are consistent with the raw data, and that they would arrive at the same conclusions if they were to conduct a repeat study. In addition, it also helps ensure that no mistakes were made during the study.
Replicability
The rigor of qualitative research is measured in part by its ability to be replicated. Its transferability must be demonstrated through a methodologically sound data collection and analysis procedure. The findings must also be fully documented, and researchers must be able to show that they made informed decisions throughout the study. Replicability can be assessed externally or internally.
Credibility
Credibility is an important aspect of qualitative research. It refers to the degree to which the results of a study are consistent with reality. Researchers who want to maximize credibility should consider using multiple techniques to ensure the data’s reliability. These include member checking and triangulation.
Confirmability
Confirmability is an important quality to look for when analyzing qualitative research. This characteristic refers to how reliable the findings are and whether they are influenced by the researcher’s bias. Qualitative research should produce findings that are neutral and representative of the information gathered from participants. Confirmability can be demonstrated by creating an audit trail that shows how data was collected, analyzed, and interpreted.
Validity
Qualitative research involves the understanding of human beings and their behaviors. Although it is subjective in nature, researchers can employ techniques and ask questions to ensure validity. For example, students can ask questions about the design of the study, the role of the researcher, instrumentation, and procedures, as well as data analysis plans. They can also ask about issues of reliability and trustworthiness. By asking these questions, students can learn how to ensure the validity of their research findings.
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