This is primary exploratory research; it seeks answers to questions, uses a systematic procedure to generate answers to existing questions, collects enough evidence to support the research, produces findings that were not anticipated in advance, and produces evidence that extends beyond the study's boundaries. The goal of qualitative research is to comprehend a specific topic or study problem from the perspective of the people being examined. This type of analysis is particularly beneficial for gathering information about a population's social background, behavior, opinions, and values. This is a form of research enables people to give their views about how the people experience a particular research issue (Brown, 2010).
How to Ensure the Credibility, Trustworthiness, and Quality of Qualitative Research
unlike the quantitative research methods the qualitative methods evaluate the reliability and validity of the findings from research ; qualitative research aim at incorporating and designing the methodological strategies to ensure that the findings are trustworthy, credible and meet the required standards so that the conclusion can be reliable (GOODWIN, & GOODWIN, 1984).
There are various strategies can be used to increase the reliability of the qualitative research. First, the researcher should acknowledge the biases that exist in sampling and an ongoing reflection of methods to make sure that there is sufficiency depth and that the data that is collected is relevant to facilitate analysis (Cooper, & White, 2012). It is also important to account for any personal biases that might emerge during research and that are capable of influencing the key finding.
When using the qualitative research methods a clear decision trail ought to be demonstrated, and records should be meticulously recorded, when data has been collected it prudent that it is transparent and consistent. When establishing a comparison between two parties the two perspectives should be represented. When performing the data analysis, it is important to demonstrate clarity when it comes to thought interpretation and the processes during the data analysis process (Maxwell, 2013).
The researcher should also engage with another researcher to limit the biases of research. Data triangulation should exist during analysis; this is a situation whereby the researcher utilize the different perspectives and methods that can help to come up with a more comprehensive findings. These findings can be validated by inviting all or a sample of the participants to make a comment on the interview transcript and whether the concepts and the final theme that is created adequately show the kind of phenomenon that is being investigated.
The data that that is collected should be dependable; this ensures that the data is consistent and can be repeated. Dependability can be judged based on how the research conducted, analyzed and even nominated. The steps that are used have to be reported in details so that an external researcher can repeat the same process and achieve similar findings and results. This process also enables the researcher to the effectiveness and importance of the methods (McDonald, 2005).
In conclusion, it is always imperative that the researchers who rely on the qualitative research method integrate strategies to make sure that there is trustworthiness of the study during research and implementation. Despite the fact that there is no universally accepted criteria and terminology used to evaluate the quantitative research following the strategies as mentioned above can enhance the reliability of the study finds.
References
Brown, A. (2010). Qualitative method and compromise in applied social research. Qualitative Research, 10(2), 229-248. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1468794109356743
Cooper, K., & White, R. (2012). Qualitative research in the post-modern era (1st ed.). Dordrecht: Springer.
GOODWIN, L., & GOODWIN, W. (1984). Qualitative Vs. Quantitative Research or Qualitative and Quantitative Research?. Nursing Research, 33(6), 378???384. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/00006199-198411000-00022
Maxwell, J. (2013). Qualitative research design (1st ed.). Thousand Oaks, Calif.: SAGE Publications.
McDonald, S. (2005). Studying actions in context: a qualitative shadowing method for organizational research. Qualitative Research, 5(4), 455-473. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1468794105056923
