Appraise Qualitative Data - Criminal Justice - Essay Example

An effective research process should however involve identification and reporting of negative evidence. This is due to the reality that presence of negative evidence indicates that there is likelihood that certain conditions exist (Aselin, Gallucci & DeCoster, 2013). Identifying and reporting negative evidence is important in qualitative research because it allows the researcher to determine the differences and similarities of the gathered data (Evans, 2013). In this sense, a researcher is able to analyze divergent views on a specific topic before inferences can be made.

Identifying negative evidence enables a researcher to analyze concepts more objectively. Bias towards research evidence which supports the beliefs or hypotheses of a researcher can be avoided if negative evidence is identified and reported in the research processes (Palys & Atchison, 2012). Qualitative research involves reflection on findings before making conclusions (Aselin, Gallucci & DeCoster, 2013). It is through the identification of negative evidence that a researcher can reflect on the meaning of different viewpoints and as a result make nonbiased conclusions.

When researchers report negative evidence, there demonstrate that the gathered information is accountable and therefore reliable. Data analysis procedures are more accountable when researchers consider both the supporting and opposing evidence (Bottoms & Tankebe, 2012). Negative evidence should be reported so that absence of evidence does not demonstrate lack of accountability in the data gathering and analysis stages of a research (Hagan, 2011). Empirical research is often reviewed by peers.

During the review, the gathering and analysis of data is evaluated in line with procedures used by the researcher. Such procedures can only be doomed to be accountable and reliable if negative evidence is identified and reported by the researcher (Aselin, Gallucci & DeCoster, 2013). The coding of qualitative