In the evaluation of the quality of a qualitative research design, it is crucial to consider the validity and reliability of the research design. The two evaluation criteria enable qualitative researchers to ensure the credibility and dependability of the research findings. In qualitative research, validity is understood in the form of rigor in the qualitative paradigm (Golafshani, 2003). The qualitative research design should sustain the consistency of the study to guarantee the credibility of the findings. In qualitative research, rigor implies the transferability of a concept to other people. Also, rigor appreciates the subjectivity of qualitative studies and that the influence of the human element to the research. The validity of a qualitative research can be assessed through the evaluation of its trustworthiness (Stewart & Hitchcock, 2016).
Reliability as an evaluation criterion involves examining the trustworthiness of a research in the context of other situations. The data collected may not be totally reliable due to differences in testing methods and designs. The research design should, however, ensure the reliability of the data and collection methods to a higher proportion. A significant factor to consider in ensuring trustworthiness in qualitative research is the transferability of the research data to other situations.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
Validity and reliability have a significant influence on how individuals understand the epistemology and ontology concepts. In the context of psychology, ontology involves the study of concepts related to being such as existence and reality. The patterns in human psychology and our ability to recognize them inform the ontological understanding of the being (Burkholder & Burbank, 2016). Research on these patterns improves the validity and reliability of the findings. From an epistemological perspective, research is used to find reliable data and evidence that creates an understanding of the world.
A potential ethical issue in qualitative research is the subjectivity of the researcher (Golafshani, 2003). A researcher may be biased in the evaluation of the research data. Biasness may limit the reliability and credibility of the research findings. One possible way to overcome this issue is through triangulation. This involves data collection and analysis based on several sources. Multiple researchers are then engaged in the interpretation of the data collected.
A research topic is said to be amenable to scientific study if it is adaptable to the scientific approach. Qualitative researchers may generate ideas by asking open-ended questions in their research. The research topic should, therefore, enable them to pursue this research approach for data collection.
References
Burkholder, G., & Burbank, P. (2016). Philosophical Foundations and the Role of Theory in Research. In G. Burkholder, K. Cox, & L. Crawford, The Scholar-Practioner's Guide to Research Design. Baltimore, MD: Laureate.
Golafshani, N. (2003). Understanding Reliability and Validity in Qualitative Research. The Qualitative Report.
Stewart, M., & Hitchcock, J. (2016). Quality Considerations. In G. J. Burkholder, K. A. Cox, & L. M. Crawford, The Scholar-Practioner's Guide to Research Design (pp. 103-128). Baltimore, MD: Laureate.
