Module 4

Question 1

What are the qualities of qualitative research?

Answer 1

1. Credibility
2. Transferability
3. Dependability
4. Comfirmability

Question 2

What is Credibility?

Answer 2

Internal Validity
Do the findings reflect reality?

In Quantitative research:
Internal validity = Do you really measure what you intended to measure?

In Qualitative research:
Credibility = Comprehensive, trustworthy and sensible explanations of the data

i. e.
- Member checking
- Include study materials (i.e. questionnaire, etc.)
- Thick descriptions of the data
- Researcher triangulation

Question 3

What is Transferability?

Answer 3

In Quantitative research: External validity = generalizability

in Qualitative research: Relevance of the concepts and findings to other settings

i. e.
- Contextual information about study methods and participants

Question 4

What is Dependability?

Answer 4

in Quantitative research:
reliability = to what extent were the findings a true reflection of reality?

In Qualitative research: Coherence between methods and findings, transparency of the research process

i. e.
- Transparent reporting
- Audio recording
- Transcription
- Computer software

Question 5

What is Confirmability?

Answer 5

In Quantitative research = Objectivity

In Qualitative research:
Confirmability = Findings and interpretations that reflect the views of participants

i. e.
- Number checking
- Inclusion of raw data
- Reflexivity
- Researcher triangulation

Question 6

What is the general principle of Confirmability?

Answer 6

Neutrality

Question 7

What is the general principle of Transferability?

Answer 7

Applicability / relevance

Question 8

What is the general principle of Dependability?

Answer 8

Consistency

Question 9

What is the general principle of Transferability?

Answer 9

Truth/reality

Question 10

What are the Tracy’s 8 “must have” criteria?

Answer 10

1. Worthy topic
2. Rich rigour
3. Sincerity
4. Credibility
5. Resonance
6. Significance contribution
7. Ethical
8. Meaningful Coherence

Question 11

What does “Meaningful coherence” principle mean from the Tracy’s must haves?

Answer 11

That the research addresses what it claims to address, uses appropriate methods, and links research questions, literature and findings

Question 12

What does “ethical principle” imply from the Tracy’s must haves?

Answer 12

That the research considers and engages in ethical practices

Question 13

What does the “significance contribution” principle mean from the Tracy’s must haves?

Answer 13

The research makes an impact in terms of such outcomes as theory, practice, and morality

Question 14

What does the “Resonance” principle mean from the Tracy’s must haves?

Answer 14

That the researcher/research - has an affecting impact on readers

Question 15

What does the “Sincerity” principle mean from the Tracy’s must haves?

Answer 15

That the researcher is reflexive about values and biases and is transparent

Question 16

What does the “Rich Rigour” principle mean from the Tracy’s must haves?

Answer 16

That the research supplies rich data and does so appropriately

Question 17

What are some of the techniques you can use to increase the validity of qualitative research?

Answer 17

1. Triangulation
2. Member’s check
3. Peer review
4. Counter examples
5. Thick description
6. Audit trail
7. Reflexivity
8. Data Saturation
9. Exploration of alternatives

Question 18

Describe the Member’s check technique

Answer 18

Members Check means verifying with the research participants whether they can recognize particular findings and interpretations from the transcripts or data analysis

Question 19

Describe the Peer Review technique

Answer 19

Peer Review means inviting colleagues outside of the study to give you comments on the research results

Question 20

Describe the Counter Examples technique

Answer 20

Counter Examples means looking for cases that could contradict or refute your findings

Question 21

Describe the Thick Descriptions technique

Answer 21

Thick Descriptions means giving a narrative and detailed description of your empirical data, allowing the reader to get insights into the relationship between raw and data and your interpretation

Question 22

Describe the Audit Trail technique

Answer 22

Audit Trail means keeping a systematic record of our practical steps in the research process and the corresponding interviewees

Question 23

Describe the Reflexivity technique/concept

Answer 23

Reflexivity means providing insights into how you experienced the role of researcher and how this may have influenced the research readings

Question 24

Describe the Data Saturation technique/concept

Answer 24

Data Saturation means that the data was collected until saturation was reached, i.e. until no new information is found and the findings become very repetitive

Question 25

Describe the Exploration of Alternatives technique/concept

Answer 25

Exploration of Alternatives means using multiple lenses to compare your coding and ensure that you are not confirming biases

Question 26

Describe the Triangulation technique

Answer 26

Triangulation means using different methods, data sources, researcher, and angles to verify or strengthen your findings

Question 27

What is the correct structure of Qualitative research?

Answer 27

1. Introduction
   What is the empirical or theoretical problem? What is the worthiness of the topic?
2. Literature review:
   - what do we know about the problem?
   - How will your research add to existing knowledge?
3. Methods
   - What is the research method, context, sample, data collection strategy, analysis strategy, your own role, quality procedures, etc.?
4. Findings
   - Thick description, story telling, tables, data tree s, etc.
5. Discussions
   Answer to your research question, model, propositions, contribution to the existing theories, etc.
6. Conclusion
   Limitations and future research
7. Appendix
   Interview protocol, etc.