Paper III Qualitative research methodology

Objective 1.7 Explain the importance of Credibility in Qualitative Research.

Because of the subjective nature of qualitative methods, researchers have looked to develop ways in which trustworthiness can be applied to this type of research Because of the subjective nature of qualitative methods, researchers have looked to develop ways in which trustworthiness can be applied to this type of research E.G. Guba (1981) has investigated the trustworthiness of naturalistic inquiries. E.G. Guba (1981) has investigated the trustworthiness of naturalistic inquiries. Building context

The aim of trustworthiness in a qualitative inquiry is to support the argument that the inquiry’s findings are “worth paying attention to” (Lincoln & Guba, 1981, p.290). The aim of trustworthiness in a qualitative inquiry is to support the argument that the inquiry’s findings are “worth paying attention to” (Lincoln & Guba, 1981, p.290). This is quite different from the conventional experimental (quantitative) precedent of attempting to show validity, soundness, and significance. This is quite different from the conventional experimental (quantitative) precedent of attempting to show validity, soundness, and significance. Building context

Trustworthiness in qualitative research. In any qualitative research project, four criteria for trustworthiness demand attention: a) credibility (in preference to internal validity); b) transferability (in preference to external validity/generalisability); c) dependability (in preference to reliability); d) con fi rmability (in preference to objectivity).

For this objective, we will only explain credibility (although it is important to note to the reader that credibility is one of four ways of ensuring trustworthiness)

Objective 1.7 Explain the importance of Credibility in Qualitative Research.

One of the key criteria addressed by quantitative research is that of internal validity, in which one seeks to ensure that their study measures or tests what is actually intended. According to researchers, the qualitative investigator’s equivalent concept, i.e. credibility, deals with the question, “How congruent are the fi ndings with reality?” According to researchers, the qualitative investigator’s equivalent concept, i.e. credibility, deals with the question, “How congruent are the fi ndings with reality?” Defining Credibility

Lincoln and Guba argue that ensuring credibility is one of most important factors in establishing trustworthiness. The credibility criteria involves establishing that the results of qualitative research are credible or believable from the perspective of the participant in the research. Defining Credibility

The credibility criteria involves establishing that the results of qualitative research are credible or believable from the perspective of the participant in the research. Since from this perspective, the purpose of qualitative research is to describe or understand the phenomena of interest from the participant's eyes, the participants are the only ones who can legitimately judge the credibility of the results. Lincoln and Guba argue that ensuring credibility is one of most important factors in establishing trustworthiness. Defining Credibility

Credibility What happens when a “source” loses it credibility.

It is of tremendous importance for qualitative research to be “believable”. It is of tremendous importance for qualitative research to be “believable”. If the raw data represents inconsistent beliefs or biased views, then the research loses ground. If the raw data represents inconsistent beliefs or biased views, then the research loses ground. Importance of Credibility

The assumption is if your research is not credible (internally valid) it cannot be accurately transferable (externally valid). The assumption is if your research is not credible (internally valid) it cannot be accurately transferable (externally valid). Credibility adds “truth value” to qualitative research. Credibility adds “truth value” to qualitative research. Truth value is perhaps the most important criterion for the assessment of qualitative research. Truth value is perhaps the most important criterion for the assessment of qualitative research. Importance of Credibility

A number of methodological strategies are required to ensure strong credibility. A number of methodological strategies are required to ensure strong credibility. Triangulation is the single most important method that ensures credibility in qualitative research. Triangulation is the single most important method that ensures credibility in qualitative research. Importance of Credibility

Tomorrow… Objective 1.8 Explain the effect of triangulation on the credibility/trustworthiness of qualitative research.