Methods & Meanings

Methods and Meanings: Credibility and Trustworthiness of Qualitative Research

Diane G. Cope

credibility, nursing research, qualitative research
ONF 2013, 41(1), 89-91. DOI: 10.1188/14.ONF.89-91

Historically, qualitative research has been viewed as "soft" science and criticized for lacking scientific rigor compared to quantitative research, which uses experimental, objective methods (Mays & Pope, 1995). Common criticisms are that qualitative research is subjective, anecdotal, subject to researcher bias, and lacking generalizability by producing large quantities of detailed information about a single, unique phenomenon or setting (Koch & Harrington, 1998). However, qualitative research is not inferior research, but a different approach in studying humans. Qualitative research emphasizes exploring individual experiences, describing phenomenon, and developing theory (Vishnevsky & Beanlands, 2004).

Jump to a section

    References

    Casey, D., & Murphy, K. (2009). Issues in using methodological triangulation in research. Nurse Researcher, 16(4), 40-55. doi:10.7748/nr2009.07.16.4.40.c7160
    Guba, E., & Lincoln, Y. (1994). Competing paradigms in qualitative research. In N. Denzin & Y. Lincoln (Eds.), Handbook of qualitative research (pp. 105-117). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
    Houghton, C., Casey, D., Shaw, D., & Murphy, K. (2013). Rigour in qualitative case-study research. Nurse Researcher, 20(4), 12-17.
    Koch, T. (2006). Establishing rigour in qualitative research: The decision trail. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 53, 91-100.
    Koch, T., & Harrington, A. (1998). Reconceptualising rigour: The case for reflexivity. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 28, 882-890.
    Lincoln, Y.S., & Guba, E.G. (1985). Naturalistic inquiry. Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
    Mantzoukas, S. (2005). The inclusion of bias in reflective and reflexive research: A necessary prerequisite for securing validity. Journal of Research in Nursing, 10, 279-295. doi:10.1177/174498710501000305
    Mays, N., & Pope, C. (1995). Rigour and qualitative research. BMJ, 311, 109.
    Pederson, A.E., Hack, T.F., McClemont, S.E., & Taylor-Brown, J. (2013). An exploration of the patient navigator role: Perspectives of younger women with breast cancer. Oncology Nursing Forum, 41, 77-88. doi:10.1188/14.ONF.77-88
    Polit, D.F., & Beck, C.T. (2012). Nursing research: Generating and assessing evidence for nursing practice. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
    Ryan-Nicholls, K.D., & Will, C.I. (2009). Rigour in qualitative research: Mechanisms for control. Nurse Researcher, 16(3), 70-85.
    Sandelowski, M. (1986). The problem of rigor in qualitative research. Advances in Nursing Science, 8(3), 27-37.
    Tobin, G.A., & Begley, C.M. (2004). Methodological rigour within a qualitative framework. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 48, 388-396.
    Vishnevsky, T., & Beanlands, H. (2004). Qualitative research. Nephrology Nursing, 31, 234-238.
    Whittemore, R., Chase, S.K., & Mandle, C.L. (2001). Validity in qualitative research. Qualitative Health Research, 11, 522-537. doi:10.1177/104973201129119299