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Cited by 1,740Qualitative Research Methods and EthicsEducational Research and MethodsQualitative Research Methods and Applications

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 145 of the 148 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Problems of Reliability and Validity in Ethnographic Research

LeCompte, Margaret D., Goetz, Judith Preissle·1982·Review of Educational Research
DOI 10.3102/00346543052001031
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Abstract

Although problems of reliability and validity have been explored thoroughly by experimenters and other quantitative researchers, their treatment by ethnographers has been sporadic and haphazard. This article analyzes these constructs as defined and addressed by ethnographers. Issues of reliability and validity in ethnographic design are compared to their counterparts in experimental design. Threats to the credibility of ethnographic research are summarized and categorized from field study methodology. Strategies intended to enhance credibility are incorporated throughout the investigative process: study design, data collection, data analysis, and presentation of findings. Common approaches to resolving various categories of contamination are illustrated from the current literature in educational ethnography.

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Citations

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Metadata

Authors
LeCompte, M. D., & Goetz, J. P.
Affiliations
  • Houston Independent School District (US)
  • University of Georgia (US)
Venue
Review of Educational Research
Publisher
American Educational Research Association (AERA)
Published
1982-03
Volume
52
Issue
1
Pages
31-60
ISSN
  • 0034-6543 (ISSN-L)
  • 1935-1046
DOI
10.3102/00346543052001031
OpenAlex
W2103880672
Semantic Scholar
7253c6cd672281576a96db1037f135ce3e78fe41
Cited by
1,740
References
148
Citations by year
2026: 35 · 2025: 48 · 2024: 53 · 2023: 62 · 2022: 76 · 2021: 70 · 2020: 81 · 2019: 90 · 2018: 64 · 2017: 86 · 2016: 77 · 2015: 98 · 2014: 99 · 2013: 73 · 2012: 74
FWCI
52.08
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
journals.sagepub.com/page/policies/text-and-data-mining-license (tdm)
Locations
Review of Educational Research (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Qualitative Research Methods and Ethics
  • Social Sciences › Education › Educational Research and Methods
  • Social Sciences › Education › Qualitative Research Methods and Applications
Keywords
reliability statistics, validity, ethnography, research credibility, contamination, ethnography of education, research design, data collection, data analysis

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