To make your data more readily accessible and understandable, the vast array of words, sentences, and paragraphs have to be reduced to what is of most importance and interest and then transformed to draw out key themes and patterns. (To learn more on White Paper and Mind Maps, view Spotlight on Skills in the Course Resource module under the table of contents.)Although there are some specific analytic distinctions among the numerous qualitative traditions or genres, data analysis is somewhat of a stepwise process and is largely centered on identifying and developing themes, which become the study’s findings. The study’s findings must provide an answer to each of the research questions.To be accepted as trustworthy, qualitative researchers must demonstrate that data analysis has been conducted in a precise, consistent, and exhaustive manner through recording, systematizing, and disclosing the methods of analysis in sufficient detail to enable the reader to determine whether the process is believable and can be trusted (Bloomberg & Volpe, 2019).Based on the identification of four aspects of trustworthiness that are relevant to both quantitative and qualitative studies (truth value, applicability, consistency, and neutrality) and at the same time taking into account the philosophical differences between qualitative and quantitative approaches, Guba (1981) developed a model that identified four aspects of trustworthiness that are relevant to qualitative studies. Guba (1981) and Lincoln and Guba (1985) also defined different strategies for addressing these criteria, thereby increasing the rigor of qualitative research.As you will read in the literature, there are four trustworthiness criteria for qualitative research. These criteria—credibility, dependability, confirmability, and transferability—are somewhat parallel to the trustworthiness criteria for quantitative research but differ in some fundamental ways. Criteria for evaluating qualitative research differ from those used in quantitative research in that the focus is on how well you provide evidence that your descriptions and analysis represent the reality of the situations and persons studied (Bloomberg & Volpe, 2019).In sum, according to Bloomberg and Volpe (2019):
Credibility refers to whether the participants’ perceptions match up with the researcher’s portrayal of them.Dependability refers to the stability and consistency of data over time, and also whether the data are providing adequate responses to the study’s research questions.Confirmability is concerned with establishing that the findings and interpretations are clearly derived from the data.Transferability refers to the extent to which a study’s findings can be applied to other similar contexts.
Read Pages 202-206 and 210-211 of Chapter 8 “Presenting Methodology and Research Approach.”This chapter provides you with an overview of the four trustworthiness criteria for qualitative research: credibility, dependability, confirmability, and transferability. Reflexive questions afford you an opportunity to think more critically about issues related to the trustworthiness of qualitative analysis.
Koelsch, L. E. (2013). Reconceptualizing the Member Check Interview. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 12(1), 168–179. https://doi.org/10.1177/160940691301200105
This article debates the use of member checks as an important component of trustworthiness in qualitative research. Traditionally, the member check was used to assess the accuracy with which a researcher represented a participant’s subjectivity.
To be accepted as trustworthy, qualitative researchers must demonstrate that data analysis has been conducted in a precise, consistent, and exhaustive manner. The purpose of this article is to guide researchers using thematic analysis in order to systematize and increase the traceability and verification of the analysis.
Some critics have been reluctant to accept the trustworthiness of qualitative research. This paper suggests that it is the responsibility of research-methods teachers to ensure that a model for ensuring trustworthiness is followed by students undertaking a qualitative inquiry.
This presentation reviews all four key criteria of trustworthiness in qualitative research and describes the strategies to address and satisfy each criterion.
ASSIGNMENT
You may want to create an outline before you begin writing to assist you in creating a paper that flows clearly and logically. In this respect, you may want to use a mind-map to help create an outline for your paper. A mind-map allows a writer to catalog and connect the many different pieces into one visual overview.The title that you choose should clearly indicate what the reader will learn from the white paper. A creative, meaningful, enticing title drives readership.White papers generally follow a standard document format – Introduction, supporting body paragraphs focused on an aspect of the topic, and a conclusion.Make use of appropriate headings and subheadings to structure your argument so that the paper is reader-friendly and easy to follow.Clarity and conciseness of writing are key! Remember, you want to keep your reader interested and engaged. You never want to lose your reader.You may wish to include images, charts, graphs, and other figures in your paper to back up your claims and capture your audience’s attention. Remember, the overall goal is to be informative and capture the attention of your audience!
Introduction. A compelling introduction. This section provides the background information required for the audience to grasp the problem, which is more fully discussed in the next paragraph. In this white paper your problem or issue to be addressed is Trustworthiness of Qualitative Data. NOTE: It is not the problem related to your topic. Problem. A paragraph discussing the problem or issue. The problem or issue needs to be clearly defined and placed within a context to ensure that it is clearly understood by the reader. (The context can be a study you have previously reviewed.) In this section, it is essential that you support your description with research-based evidence.
Four Criteria of Trustworthiness. For this paper, each criteria of Trustworthiness of Qualitative Data (credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability) should be a heading. You will have body paragraphs that discuss in detail all four qualitative trustworthiness criteria and how you would approach and mitigate potential threats to these criteria by detailing all the specific steps you can take to avoid or minimize these threats. These threats present potential limitations in your study.Conclusion. The conclusion summarizes the white paper’s major ideas. Here, you will also provide recommendations based on the solution.References (on a new page). All sources used to develop the white paper must be cited in this section. These references offer your reader content for further research. Remember, all citations and references must follow APA format and style.
Expand your knowledge of the four qualitative trustworthiness criteria, by exploring how they relate to qualitative data analysis:credibilitydependabilityconfirmabilitytransferabilityProvide an overview of the strategies that can be used in qualitative data analysis to address each of the criteria above. Discuss how you would approach and mitigate potential threats to the trustworthiness of your study’s findings by detailing all the specific steps you will take to avoid or minimize researcher bias.