QUALITATIVE RIGOR
Qualitative projects seek to collect and understand non-numerical data by relying on the researcher as the main instrument of data collection and interpretation. Therefore, anyone involved in a qualitative research project must acknowledge how their personal and professional background influence planning, collection, and interpretation of the data. Qualitative rigor addresses concerns about biases that may arise in a project. A rigorous process will result in more trustworthy findings. This done through comparability, confirmability, credibility, and dependability.
What is it? Dependability in qualitative research is the clarity of the descriptions throughout the research process so that it can be done in a similar setting or repeated.
The thoroughness of descriptions must be done from the beginning to the end of a qualitative project. It is also accomplished by adding multidimensionality to project results using different types of data. The descriptions need to be detailed in the project methods, recruitment, and analysis.
- In qualitative research planning dependability could be applied through clear explanation of the rationale for a project
- In qualitative research design, you can apply dependability by thorough explanation on the type of design and the methods within the chosen design.
- You can apply dependability to qualitative data collection by detailed descriptions of how and why participants were chosen
- For qualitative data analysis, dependability can be used through integrating feedback from peer examination (an expert in the field who may not be connected to the project).
How can we help you?
- Identify the most appropriate element of dependability to apply to your qualitative project
- Coaching on how to integrate feedback from peer examiners
FAQ About Dependability
No. It is helpful to have at least one method of dependability in your qualitative project.
Dependability is achieved through rigorous research design and planning, standardized data collection protocols, systematic data analysis techniques, maintaining an audit trail of research processes, and conducting reliability checks or triangulation of data.
Common challenges include variations in data collection procedures, researcher subjectivity or biases, changes in research objectives or scope during the project, evolving participant dynamics, and ensuring consistency in data interpretation across research team members.
Ensuring dependability enhances the validity and reliability of qualitative research findings by demonstrating the consistency and repeatability of results. Dependable findings support the credibility of insights, facilitate comparisons over time, and inform sustainable strategies for clients.
Strategies include developing detailed research protocols and documentation, training research team members consistently, using standardized data collection tools and techniques, conducting regular reliability checks or peer debriefings, maintaining transparency in data analysis, and documenting methodological decisions.
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Peggy Ostrander, DNPc, APRN, FNP-C Plano, Texas