Qualitative Validity

Qualitative Validity

Many researchers, particularly those from the hard sciences like mathematics or physics, consider quantitative research, with the ability to determine “statistical significance,” as more rigorous than qualitative research. Qualitative research does not lend itself to such mathematical determination of validity, rather it is highly focused on providing descriptive and/or exploratory results. However, this does not relieve the qualitative researcher from designing studies that are rigorous and high in “trustworthiness,” often the word used to describe validity in a qualitative study. There is no agreed upon set of criteria for ensuring a quality qualitative study, but there are a number of models of quality criteria.

Instructions:

• After reading the assigned articles by Shenton (2004) and Freeman, deMarrais, Preissle, Roulston, and St. Pierre (2007), discuss at least three things a qualitative researcher can consider to increase the validity of a study’s results.
• Give at least one example from one of the qualitative study articles you have found on your own topic of how a claim (reported result) is supported.
  • How does that article report on the validity of the study’s results?
  • Do the authors do a good job of demonstrating validity? If not, what could/should they have done differently?

Post should be at least 300 words. Resources

Required Text

Malec, T. & Newman, M. (2013). Research methods: Building a knowledge base. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc. ISBN-13: 9781621785743, ISBN-10: 1621785742.
Section 1.6 Writing a Research Proposal
Chapter 3: Qualitative and Descriptive Designs – Observing Behavior
Section 5.3: Experimental Validity: A Note on Qualitative Research Validity and Reliability
Appendix: Example of a Research Proposal

Required References

Anderson, J. D. (2006). Qualitative and quantitative research. Available at http://web20kmg.pbworks.com/w/file/fetch/82037432/QualitativeandQuantitativeEvaluationResearch.pdf (Links to an external site.)

Conway, A. (2014). Circuit court involved youth in Virginia: A descriptive, cross-sectional, quantitative research study.London: SAGE Publications Ltd. doi: 10.4135/978144627305014535709

Frank, G., & Polkinghorne, D. (2010). Qualitative research in occupational therapy: From the first to the second generation. OTJR: Occupation, Participation and Health, 30(2), 51-57. (ProQuest Document ID: 2021456651).

Freeman, M., deMarrais, K.,  Preissle, J.,  Roulston, K., &  St Pierre, E. A. (2007). Standards of evidence in qualitative research:  An incitement to discourse. Educational Researcher, 36(1), 25-32.  doi:10.3102/0013189X06298009.

Park, J., & Park, M. (2016). Qualitative versus quantitative research methods: Discovery or justification? Journal Of Marketing Thought, 3(1), 1-7.

Polkinghorne, D. E. (2005). Language and meaning: Data collection in qualitative research. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 52(2), 137-145. doi:10.1037/0022-0167.52.2.137    [Retrieved from EBSCOhost]

Shenton, A.K. (2004). Strategies for ensuring trustworthiness in qualitative research projects. Education for Information, 22(2), 63-75.