Issues of validity and reliability in qualitative research
Open accessAbstract
Evaluating the quality of research is essential if findings are to be utilised in practice and incorporated into care delivery. In a previous article we explored ‘bias’ across research designs and outlined strategies to minimise bias.1 The aim of this article is to further outline rigour, or the integrity in which a study is conducted, and ensure the credibility of findings in relation to qualitative research. Concepts such as reliability, validity and generalisability typically associated with quantitative research and alternative terminology will be compared in relation to their application to qualitative research. In addition, some of the strategies adopted by qualitative researchers to enhance the credibility of their research are outlined
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The potential applicability of the findings to other contexts is limited to similar care centres.
“the potential applicability of our findings to other contexts45 is limited to similar care centres.”
From Women’s experiences of skin-to-skin cesarean birth compared to standard cesarean birth: a qualitative study (2021) · cites this paper as [45]
Member checking confirmed that the themes developed from the analysis showed the broadest range of experiences possible.
“member checking confirmed that the themes that developed from the analysis showed the broadest range of experiences possible.”
From Women’s experiences of skin-to-skin cesarean birth compared to standard cesarean birth: a qualitative study (2021) · cites this paper as [45]
Auditability ensured that the research process and methodology were clearly outlined from the start and that evolving themes were discussed within the research team to ensure consensus.
“auditability ensured that the research process and methodology were clearly outlined from the start and that evolving themes were discussed within the research team to ensure consensus.45”
From Women’s experiences of skin-to-skin cesarean birth compared to standard cesarean birth: a qualitative study (2021) · cites this paper as [45]
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“Many scholars argue that credibility provides a better alignment with a qualitative worldview (Noble & Smith, 2015).”
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“Enhancing attributes of rigour and credibility has been a longstanding area of priority within qualitative research [43].”
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- Authors
- Noble, H., & Smith, J.
- Affiliations
- Queen's University Belfast (GB)
- University of Huddersfield (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Noble, Helen
- Venue
- Evidence Based Nursing
- Publisher
- BMJ
- Published
- 2015-02-04
- Volume
- 18
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 34-35
- ISSN
- 1367-6539 (ISSN-L)
- 1468-9618
- OpenAlex
- W1979517429
- Cited by
- 1,758
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 162 · 2025: 192 · 2024: 206 · 2023: 224 · 2022: 207 · 2021: 221 · 2020: 175 · 2019: 151 · 2018: 96 · 2017: 59 · 2016: 55 · 2015: 9
- FWCI
- 335.74
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- Evidence-Based Nursing (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- University of Huddersfield Repository (University of Huddersfield) (submittedVersion)
- White Rose Research Online (University of Leeds, The University of Sheffield, University of York) (submittedVersion)
- Research Portal (Queen's University Belfast) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- Funders
- Public Health Agency (CDV/4872/13)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Education › Qualitative Research Methods and Applications
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Qualitative Research Methods and Ethics
- Social Sciences › Education › Health Education and Validation
- Keywords
- qualitative research validity, scientific rigor, generalizability, research quality
- MeSH terms
- Humans, Research Design, Reproducibility of Results, Qualitative Research
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