Trustworthiness in Qualitative Research

Introduction

• Trustworthiness is crucial in qualitative research.
• It ensures findings are credible, reliable, and contextual.
• Comparable to validity and reliability in quantitative research.

Four Key Pillars of Trustworthiness

1. Credibility

   • Ensures findings reflect participants' perspectives accurately.
   • Similar to validity in quantitative research.
   • Methods to enhance credibility:
     • Prolonged engagement: Spend quality time with participants.
     • Member checking: Verify findings with participants.
     • Triangulation: Use multiple data sources (e.g., interviews, surveys).
   • Example: Studying remote workers' experiences by spending time, confirming interpretations, and cross-checking data.

2. Transferability

   • Determines if findings are relevant to other contexts.
   • Different from generalization in quantitative research.
   • Methods to enhance transferability:
     • Thick and rich descriptions: Detailed accounts of context and participants.
     • Methodological transparency: Clear detail of sampling and methods.
   • Example: Describing a hospital crisis context to ensure relevance to other studies.

3. Dependability

   • Focuses on consistency and stability of the research process.
   • Methods to enhance dependability:
     • Detailed documentation: Record every research step.
     • External review: Have others review methods and findings.
   • Helps in replication and identifying blind spots.

4. Confirmability

   • Ensures findings are based on data, not personal bias.
   • Methods to enhance confirmability:
     • Audit trail: Document data collection and interpretation processes.
     • Triangulation: Use multiple data sources.
     • External review: Validate the audit trail.
   • Aim to reduce bias and demonstrate objectivity.

Conclusion

• Trustworthiness involves careful planning and transparency.
• Four pillars: credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability.
• Essential for generating reliable research.

Resources

• Recommended to use research templates and checklists to avoid mistakes.
• Links provided for further learning.