Reliability and Validity

Qualitative research is a kind of research that the researchers use when they are not able to obtain relevant findings by using quantitative or statistical approach (Corbin & Strauss, 1990). Although one can quantify the collected data in qualitative research, the bulk of the analysis is always interpretive and can results in different meaning for different individuals. Therefore, it can become a bit problematic for qualitative researchers to come to the same conclusion. Since one of the most important issue in qualitative reteach is to arrive at a shared conclusion, it makes it difficult for qualitative researchers to ensure trustworthiness and quality.

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It would be easy to hope that the findings of the qualitative research are so convincing and persuasive in their own right that they do not require any form of further validation (Kvale, 1996).In reality, it is not easy for qualitative researchers to defend the criteria for research evaluation, especially when academics regard their findings as for individual claims supported by unscientific methods (Ballinger, 2006). The qualitative researcher needs to show the integrity and value of their research by developing criteria for substantial research evaluation that support the reliability and validity of their research. They must also check if the qualitative evaluation criteria are different from quantitative research, and decide what those evaluation standards should be. Otherwise, it would be difficult for qualitative researchers to convince sceptical academic audiences (Mandel, 2018).

DeVellis, (2003), argue that there is a difference between quantitative and qualitative research within the context of reliability. He points out that reliability is usually determined by internal consistency and homogeneity of items (DeVellis, 2003). This shows that reliability is more focused on the consistency of the means of data collection which is mostly irrelevant when it comes to qualitative research. Since the main objective of the qualitative research is to collect and analyse the responses of the participants at a particular space, time and context, instead of looking for the consistency in their answers. In addition, in contrary to reliability, qualitative research cannot always exactly replicated. The responses obtained from a particular interview depend upon the researcher unique approach, mindset and assumptions including their interaction with the research participants. On the other hand, validity is referred to whether the research can truthfully and accurately measure what it supposed to measure and nothing else.

In a landmark study, Lincoln and Guba (1985) have proposed a specific criterion for qualitative research that includes reliability, objectivity and internal and external validity. They explained these criteria in terms of credibility, transferability, dependability, and conformability. They further state that credibility refers to truth or believability in the research findings. For instance,

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participants might be given interview transcripts and asked to confirm or disconfirm what they have stated in it. This form of check attempts to ensure the trustworthiness of the findings. One can also achieve credibility through triangulation of the data and persistent observation during the interview process. This form of credibility allows the researcher to ensure the internal validity of the research findings. One can also further build credibility by spending more time in the field and by reflexive observation including taking notes.

Transferability refers to the ability of the researcher to apply the findings to other context or settings. This form of external validity acts as a check for the findings. In qualitative reach, researchers also provide a detail description of the context in which the findings are generated. They do it to give readers enough information to judge the applicability of the results to other contexts. Dependability refers to the notion that whether there is any consistency among the various interviews obtained by the researcher. Since one cannot generate consistency in a qualitative study, therefore, one can obtain dependability by having appropriate documentation of the data collected, approaches, and undertaking proper decisions about the study.

Conformity refers to the idea that whether the researcher was objective during data collection and data analysis. The research must show the research findings to two or more independent researchers regarding the accuracy, relevancy, and meaning of the data (Polit and Beck, 2012). Since conformity indicates as a mean to project research quality, therefore, the researcher should also emphasise the use of methodology to create conformability (Mandel, 2018).

In this study, the researcher has used various techniques to reconfirm the credibility, transferability, dependability, and conformability of this research. Some of the following criteria are as follow,

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● The researcher has accounted for personal bias by bracketing oneself consciously to

understand the phenomena from the perspective of the participants that is “the focus [was] on an insider perspective” (Mouton & Marais, 1990, p. 70).

● The audio taping of the interview and the bracketing of the researcher in the transcription process further contribute to the truth.

● Consciously comparing and seeking out parallels and differences across accounts to confirm that alternative viewpoints are equally represented.

● The researcher has also included rich and thick verbatim descriptions of participants in

the finding section to support research credibility.

● After the interview, the researcher has handed over the transcription and a detailed summary of the interview to the research participants in order to validate that the data obtained reflect their perspective regarding the phenomena experienced.

In addition, the researcher has used NVIVO software to organize, analyse and code data. As stated by Hilal and Alabri, (2013), researchers are increasingly using NVivo software to improve the quality of subjective analysis. The software enables the researcher to minimize time to conduct manual task and provide them the opportunity to have more time to identify tendencies, recognize themes and come to realistic conclusions. Moreover, this particular software allows the researcher the ability to, querying, managing, modelling and reporting data and makes it easier to perform a time-consuming and vague task as compared to Manuel analysis.

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