Validity and Reliability issues - Research Paper Example

 Validity and Reliability issues Name Institution Validity and Reliability issues Qualitative researchers face many validity and reliability issues due to concerns emanating from four key areas that include credibility, dependability, conformability and transferability. Quantitative research uses internal validation methods that enhance its validity and reliability. In contrast, qualitative research relies on the ability of the researcher to conduct the process in an ethical manner. The manner in which data is collected creates room for the researcher to introduce personal views into the process. The difference between qualitative research papers with high quality and those with poor quality is directly linked to the personal philosophy of the researcher. Limitations Facing Qualitative Research Qualitative researchers face many obstacles as they try to create a valid and reliable study. The most significant factor that poses a problem for qualitative researchers is error. It is worth recognizing that many investigations are undermined by error. The magnitude of the error is directly related to the accuracy and truthfulness of the results. Consequently, qualitative researchers have to be careful about potential sources of error when they are planning and implementing their studies. The research methodology is affected by four major sources of error. The research is the primary source of error because the inability to pay attention to details may undermine the quality of their research. The other source of error is the subjects who are participating in the study. They may provide inaccurate information that may undermine the study (Cho & Trent, 2006). The situation or social context may undermine the study. The methods of data collection and analysis can pose a significant challenge to the researcher. Qualitative researchers are also limited by the social context within which the data is collected and analyzed. The behavior of individuals may vary with the prevailing social circumstance (Shenton, 2004). For example, individuals who are alone they may provide honest answers to sensitive questions. In contrast, they may manipulate their answers to fit the situation if questioned in public In addition, many peoples have concerns about qualitative research. For instance, it may be difficult to appreciate how a researcher can make a valid conclusion based on a small non-random sample. Other concerns involve the ability of other researchers to conduct a similar study and obtain the same results. Furthermore, if the researcher is the primary instrument for data collection and analysis, it is important to determine the validity of the research. The concerns reflect a legitimate concern about the rigor of the research process and the impact of the philosophical approach. The overreliance on informants makes qualitative research susceptible to informant’s bias (Sargeant, 2012). The feature can be introduced by fatigue, motivation or fatigue. In addition, the informant may suffer from memory loss. The response provided by the informant can also vary depending on the mood they are in, their state of health or if they are in pain. Furthermore, the research can be undermined by elite bias. The term refers to the overweighting of data provided by individuals with a high social and economic status in the community. Similarly, the researcher may under represent data from a less articulate and low-status informant. Strategies to Make Qualitative Research More Credible The researcher can employ many strategies to enhance the credibility of their research. For example, they can ensure that the informants have a clear understanding of the nature of the research. The researcher can explain why he is there, the aim of the study, how he or she will collect the data and what he will do with it. However, the researcher should be aware of one significant risk involved in this approach. Confirming the findings and analysis with the informant may sensitize the informant about the inferences of the researcher. As a result, they may provide information that is engineered to support the point given by the researcher. In addition, researchers should build trust with the participants by staying with them for a prolonged period (Shenton, 2004). In addition, they can interview the same informant on numerous occasions in order to test their consistency. They should also make many observations. The researchers should ensure that they compare the results that they obtain with other studies (Shenton, 2004). In addition, they should keep accurate and detailed notes to facilitate the observation of any changes in the responses over the course of time. In addition, they can show the field notes to another researcher who is not involved in the study. An outside researcher would be able to notice any attempt to mislead the researcher. The researcher can overcome informant’s bias by conducting repeat interviews in different settings. The repeat interviews should also be conducted at different times. Comparing these results will enable the researcher to identify any inconsistencies in the information given. In addition, the researcher can introduce safeguards against informant bias through good planning of the selection of participants. They can achieve this by employing a deliberate approach to include contrasting cases (Kitto,Chesters &Grbich, 2008). The approach enhances the validity and reliability of the study by ensuring that the study is balanced. The Impact of Personal Philosophies on Key Aspects of the Research Process My personal philosophy involves three major aspects truth-value, applicability, and neutrality. The three terms are key indicators of the reliability of a research project. In addition, they determine whether the findings can be adopted in other areas (Noble & Smith, 2015). The approach guides the design of research, the collection and analysis of data. In addition, it influences the presentation of findings. The three approaches ensure that I produce high-quality research projects that are reliable and valid. Research Design I believe that research is not only an important academic skill but also a way of thinking. As a result, my personal philosophy has a significant impact on the design of the research project. The objectives of the study should determine the design of every research project (Noble &Smith, 2015). In addition, I believe that researchers have a responsibility to use as many data collection methodologies as possible. The approach enhances the quality of the research project because triangulation provides an effective method for enhancing the quality of the research process. Research projects should demonstrate a strong commitment to adhere to best research practices. For instance, the study should provide a systematic guideline that enables other researchers to perform the same project (Kitto, Chesters & Grbich, 2008). In addition, only credible sources of information should be used. I believe that every project should have a limitations section that highlights the challenges that undermined the research process to enhance credibility. Data Collection The trustworthiness of the data collection method is the key determinant of the credibility of the study (Sargeant, 2012). I employ a deliberate approach when selecting the most appropriate approach for the collection and analysis of data. Credibility involves the focus of the research and evaluates how well the data addresses the selected topic. Consequently, I focus on collecting the most relevant data for content analysis. The strategy starts with selecting the most effective approach for collecting data. The collected data is unstructured in studies that involve the use of content analysis. The data can be collected through interviews, observations, literature reviews and a combination of other methods (Sargeant, 2012). In some instances, the collected data may be semi-structured or open. In the event that I use inductive analysis, I have to ensure that the collected data are completely unstructured. I use prolonged engagement in order to ensure that I collect credible information .The activity involves spending a lot of time learning about the traditions and customs of participants. In addition, the approach enables the researcher to build trust with the participants. The reliability of the data collected can be enhanced by spending sufficient amount of time at the selected site (Sargeant, 2012). The process enables the researcher to learn about the perceptual, selective and misconstruction of the questions posed by the investigator. Persistent observation ensures that I establish credibility by developing an in-depth understanding of the topic. Referential adequacy enables me to store raw data in a manner that enables me to examine them later and compare them with other studies in order to establish their credibility. In addition, I also use an approach that enables the participants to review the data, analytic categories, and the interpretations. The approach facilitates the determination of the overall accuracy of the study (Shenton, 2004). In addition, it enables me to verify the data results. Data Analysis It is important to use triangulation to enhance the quality of the data analysis. The process involves the use of multiple sources of data. Some of the sources can be interviews, observation, methods and relevant theories. The use of different investigators enhances the accuracy of the collected data by reducing the influence of personal views. The uses of multiple theories are informed by the belief that theories can be interrelated. The findings can result in a function of the similarity of theories (Bergold &Thomas, 2012). One approach that can be used in triangulation is contextual analysis. The approach plays a significant role because it evaluates the validity of the study through comparison with other studies that have similar evidence. In addition, I embrace peer debriefing to check if there are biased opinions in my study. The approach involves requesting a colleague to go through the study for credibility and evaluate if the findings align with the collected data. I also use negative case analysis to demonstrate that it is impossible for all the data to produce a single result. The approach enhances the credibility of my papers by demonstrating the fact that I examine the cases thoroughly. In addition, it gives me an opportunity to include information that does not align with the underlying themes in the study. Conclusion Qualitative researchers face many challenges. At every step of the research process, they have to make a deliberate attempt to maintain a clear separation between their personal views and actual data. The ability to separate opinions and the facts defines a qualitative research paper that meets the highest standards of validity and reliability. Consequently, having a personal philosophy is important for a researcher because it guides their approach to the data collection and analysis stage. In addition, it guides presentation of findings. The three issues have a significant impact on how the research paper is perceived. References Bergold, J & Thomas, S. (2012). Participatory Research Methods: A Methodological Approach in Motion. Forum: Qualitative Social Research, 13(1). Cho, J. & Trent, A. (2006). Validity in qualitative Research Revisited. Qualitative Research 6 (3), 319-340. Kitto, S.C., Chesters, J. & Grbich, C. (2008). Quality in qualitative research. The Medical Journal of Australia 188 (4), 243-246. Noble, H. & Smith, J. (2015). Issues of validity and reliability in qualitative research. Evidence Based Nursing 18, 34-35. Sargeant, J. (2012). Qualitative Research Part II: Participants, Analysis, and Quality Assurance. Journal of Graduate Medical Education 4(1), 1-3 Shenton, A. K. (2004). Strategies for ensuring trustworthiness in qualitative research. Education for Information 22, 63-75. Read More