Joseph Almazan, DNSc, MPM, MAN, RN*
Assistant Professor, Nazarbayev University, School of Medicine
Joseph.almazan@nu.edu.kz
*Corresponding author
Anargul Kuntuganova, MBA
Instructor, Nazarbayev University, School of Medicine
Alma Syzdykova, MD, MSc, MBA
Director of Science and Education Department at the University Medical Center
Paolo Colet, PhD, MAN, RN, RM
Assistant Professor, Nazarbayev University, School of Medicine
Introduction
Ensuring rigor in qualitative research is important in maintaining the research findings’ credible and trustworthiness so that it can be replicated in other studies (Johnson, Adkins, & Chauvin, 2020). Before we move further into the rigor of qualitative research, let us define first what is rigor. According to Patton (1999), rigor refers to the quality of research that ensures a well detailed and systematically conducted research. Rigor is important in qualitative research due to its subjective nature of data gathering and data analysis which requires researchers to be extra careful in analyzing the participant’s experiences and perspectives (Thomas & Magilvy, 2011). It is similar to quantitative research’s validity and reliability. In this blog, we present how to establish rigor in qualitative research.
Four Ways of Rigor in Qualitative Research
Based on Lincoln and Guba (1985) there are four ways to assess the rigor of qualitative research studies:
(a) Truth–value (Credibility) -It refers to the extent of research findings that are accurate, and representative of the phenomenon being studied. This is essential for ensuring that the findings are trustworthy. In qualitative research, establishing truth-value (Credibility) is essential because it contributes to the validity and reliability of the research finding.
(b) Applicability (Transferability)- It refers to the extent to which the research findings can be generalized or transferred to other populations. This is established through a rich and detailed description of the research context and participants’ experiences.
(c) Consistency (Dependability)- It refers to the extent of research findings that are consistent and can be replicated over time and across different researchers. Establishing consistency or dependability is essential to ensure that the qualitative research findings are trustworthy and credible.
(d) Neutrality (confirmability) It refers to the degree to which the research findings are rooted in the specific data and not influenced, and impartial by the researcher’s subjective biases. Qualitative researchers need to maintain neutrality or confirmability in ensuring that their research findings accurately reflect the participants’ experiences.
In addition, rigor is very important in establishing the consistency of the result study methods over time and providing an accurate representation of the population being studied. According to (Johnson et al.,2019) here are some steps a researcher can take to ensure rigor qualitative research:
Step 1: Identifying a Research Topic: Identifying a Research Topic and research questions should be clear and well-defined to guide your research process. It provides that the methods including data collection, analysis, and interpretation of findings are relevant to your research question.
Step 2: Qualitative Study Design: this includes the inclusion of the best and relevant research methods design to explore and understand human experiences, behaviors, attitudes, and social phenomena (phenomenology, grounded theory, ethnography, case study, and narrative qualitative research)
Step 3: Data Analysis: The use of a systematic approach in analyzing data that involves repeated cycles of coding, categorization, interpretation, and verification until the researcher reaches saturation.
Step 4: Drawing Valid Conclusions: In order to ensure that any interpretations made are grounded and supported by the evidence collected, the conclusion should be conducted based on triangulation: reflexivity, research member checking with coherence and consistency.
Step 5:Reporting Research Results: The key to providing quality reporting research results should be presented with clarity, completeness, and accuracy in communicating the results to the reader of the research paper.
When reporting on qualitative research it is recommended to follow the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) which is a set of comprehensive guidelines developed by the Equator Network to enhance rigor and transparency towards the reporting qualitative research studies (EQUATOR, 2023). This can also help and guide authors to write the type of research information section and contents that should be included in the qualitative research. This qualitative guideline can be found on the EQUATOR Network website: https://www.equator-network.org/
Conclusion
Finally, achieving rigor in qualitative research needs a thorough, detailed and systematic approach starting from the research question, research design, data gathering, analysis, and interpretation of findings. By following the above ways, researchers can ensure that their qualitative research is methodologically sound and that the results are trustworthy and credible.
References
Enhancing the QUAlity and Transparency Of health Research Network (EQUATOR, 2023).
Qualitative research, Study Designs . Equator-Network.org
Johnson, J. L., Adkins, D., & Chauvin, S. (2020). A Review of the Quality Indicators of Rigor in Qualitative Research. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 84(1), 138–146. https://doi.org/10.5688/ajpe7120
Thomas, E., & Magilvy, J. K. (2011). Qualitative Rigor or Research Validity in Qualitative Research. Journal for Specialists in Pediatric Nursing, 16(2), 151–155. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-6155.2011.00283.x
Patton MQ. Enhancing the quality and credibility of qualitative analysis. Health Serv Res. 1999; 34(5 Pt 2):1189-1208.
Coordinators
Jūratė Macijauskienė, project coordinator
Živilė Kepežinskienė, project manager
Editorial team
Dinara Kozhakhmetova, responsible for WP4 Dissemination
Baituganova Aizhan, responsible for WP4 Dissemination