Week 5 Learning Outcomes

Question 1

What is the focus of the critical appraisal in qualitative studies?

Answer 1

Rigour in qualitative studies

This includes evaluating the rigor of research design, data collection, and analysis processes.

Question 2

What are the key issues to identify when critiquing a qualitative journal article?

Answer 2

Issues relating to:
* Trustworthiness
* Credibility
* Transferability
* Dependability
* Confirmability

These criteria help assess the quality and reliability of qualitative research.

Question 3

Define trustworthiness in the context of qualitative research.

Answer 3

The degree to which the findings of a study can be trusted to reflect the reality of the participants’ experiences.

Trustworthiness encompasses credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability.

Question 4

What does credibility refer to in qualitative studies?

Answer 4

The confidence in the truth of the findings.

This can be enhanced by strategies such as member checking and triangulation.

Question 5

What is transferability in qualitative research?

Answer 5

The extent to which findings can be applied or transferred to other contexts or settings.

Researchers should provide detailed descriptions to allow for transferability.

Question 6

Define dependability in qualitative research.

Answer 6

The stability of data over time and conditions.

This involves ensuring that the research process is logical, traceable, and documented.

Question 7

What is confirmability in qualitative studies?

Answer 7

The degree to which findings are shaped by the participants and not researcher bias.

This can be achieved through audit trails and reflexivity.