Research Process 5- Rigour Flashcards
What does validity mean ?
- Truth
What are the different types of validity ?
- Construct validity
- Content validity
- Face validity
- Internal validity
- External validity
- Reliability
What is construct validity ?
- The outcome measure of the current study which has previously been confirmed or established in another study.
What is content validity ?
the extent to which a data collection tool encompasses all aspects of the variables being measured.
what is face validity ?
the extent to which a data collection tool appears to measure what is intended.
What us internal validity ?
the extent to which other possible explanations of the findings can be excluded.
What is external validity ?
the extent to which the findings can be generalised to the total population.
What is reliability ?
relates to the uniformity and accuracy of the data collection tool used and the researcher using it.
What are the ways of evaluating qualitative research ?
o Credibility: are the findings believable
o Transferability: can the findings be applied to similar populations in similar settings
o Dependability: the consistency of the approaches used throughout the study.
o Confirmability: do the findings reflect the data provided by the participants?
o Authenticity: do the findings portray a range of perspectives and realities?
How can rigour be promoted in quantitative data ?
o Addressing the research hypothesis, aims and answering the research questions- the research has achieved what the researcher intended.
o Conducted a pilot study, and assessing the study’s fidelity: commonly used in large-scale quantitative studies. A pilot study is a small scale study which is carried out in exactly the same way, using the same methods of everything. Re-pilot studies can be conducted if the research requires change. Fidelity assessments involves evaluation of the way in which the study was conducted to determine the validity, reliability and generalisability of the findings. Determines whether the study had been conducted in the way it was intended. Determine if all the aspect of the research were conducted in accordance with the study protocol- if so the research can be deemed reliable and valid
o Ensuring appropriate training for all researchers involved in participant recruitment, data collection and data analysis
o Consider timing of the research
o Having clear inclusion and exclusion criteria factors for participants
o Having it scrutinised by experts on the field
o Using an appropriate sampling strategy.
o Providing statistical assessment of the reliability of the data collection.
o Minimising drop-outs and Hawthorne’s effect
How can rigour be promoted in qualitative research ?
o Addressing the research aims and answering the research questions- the research has achieved what the researcher intended
o Considering time of research
o Using an audit trail. Documenting all decisions made by the researcher during the research process.
o Reflective diary
o Providing a detailed account of the research process along with acknowledgement of any potential bias.
o Having clear inclusion and exclusion criteria factors for participants
o Recruiting participants and collecting data until data saturation has been achieved.
o Having it scrutinised by experts on the field
o Promoting consistency- minimising the no. of researchers involved in participant recruitment, data collection and data analysis.
o Ensuring appropriate training for all researchers involved in participant recruitment, data collection and data analysis
o Standardising the transcription process
What is triangulation ?
- A further way of strengthening the rigour.
- Most commonly associated with the use of more than one research method, types of data.
- Key feature of mixed methods research
- Can also be achieved by repeatedly collecting the same data from the same participants in different setting at the same time.
