Validity in Qualitative Research: A Processual Approach

Abstract

Validity and reliability of research and its results are important elements to provide evidence of the quality of research in the organizational field. However, validity is better evidenced in quantitative studies than in qualitative research studies. As there is diversity within qualitative research methods and techniques, there is no universally accepted criteria to assess validity in qualitative studies; its usefulness is also questioned. Therefore, in this paper, we argue that qualitative research should adopt a processual view approach of validity since it should not be the product of a single test or just one step in the research. Processual validity both supports good research and helps in its reflection and guidance. To illustrate our approach, we present the processual approach adopted by one of the coauthors during the development of a research project. We highlight the validity assurance activities for both ex ante and ex post research, peer review and participation in an international conference, which corroborated the quality of the processual approach and the results that were obtained.

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Quantitative and Qualitative Approach for Investigating Washback in English Language Testing

“…Meanwhile, study 2 initially involved 49 secondary schools from 7 regions in observation, but since there was a social disturbance, only data of 18 schools were analyzed. This qualitative study also involved many sites, 49 and 18 schools which can contribute to external validity (Hayashi, Abib and Hoppen, 2019) or transferability. Transferability means that the study's findings can be generalized.…”

The Value of Fathering for Incarcerated Offenders: Implementing the “Parents as Teachers” Curriculum in Greene County, Missouri

“…Our qualitative approach gave us a more in-depth, complete understanding of the parenting needs of inmate fathers, using their own words and shared experiences, personal struggles, and self-perception of their role as parents in the lives of their children. We approached our study using a detached observation methodology that allowed us to have a limited amount of interaction with our subjects to maintain objectivity and limit the amount of emotional attachment to their stories in order to increase the validity of our findings and ensure they are free from personal bias and reactivity (Hayashi et al, 2019;Mohajan, 2018). We chose to be detached observers in this qualitative study, as we sat in the same circle around the table but did not participate in the dialogue or interaction.…”

Perasaan kompeten sebagai orang tua: Pengalaman ibu dari remaja pelaku kekerasan seksual

“…Selanjutnya, validitas atau trustworthiness dalam penelitian kualitatif dipastikan oleh kesesuaian instrumen, proses, data, dan kesimpulan pada penelitian ini. Pada penelitian ini dilakukan dengan cara triangulasi (peneliti) dan memastikan data terdokumentasikan dengan proses dan cara yang tepat (Leung , 2015), serta data saturation (melakukan wawancara hingga jenuh atau tidak ada lagi tambahan informasi yang dapat digunakan) (Hayashi et al, 2019). Data dianalisis dengan menggunakan pendekatan Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) yang bertujuan untuk mengeksplorasi secara rinci pemaknaan partisipan pada pengalaman pribadinya (Smith et al, 2009).…”