BUSI 815 Liberty University Validity and Reliability in Qualitative Research Discussion Please reply to another students Discussion Board Post. Here is the

BUSI 815 Liberty University Validity and Reliability in Qualitative Research Discussion Please reply to another students Discussion Board Post. Here is the students post you are replying to:

Validity and Reliability

This week’s discussion post focuses on qualitative and quantitative research quality evaluations and standards. The discussion post will explore the differences between quantitative and qualitative research validity and reliability measures. Furthermore, this post discusses employing validation and reliability constructs for this course. A Christian worldview will illustrate the importance of a Christian researcher.

Understanding Validity and Reliability

According to Whittemore, Chase, and Mandle (2001), “developing validity standards in qualitative researcher is challenging because of the necessity to incorporate rigor and subjectivity as well as creativity into the scientific process” (p. 522). Although there are difficulties associated with qualitative research, Creswell and Poth (2018) provide validity and reliability checks for the research method. For example, a researcher should consider multiple sources of data to confirm accuracy; this is known as triangulation. (Rooshenas, Paramasivan, Jepson, & Donovan, 2019). Additionally, disconfirmation would allow the researcher to provide participants with the exceptions to the research theme. Another method to combat validity issues is for the researcher to compare recent data from the research to past collected data (Creswell & Miller, 2000). The research study participants can ask for additional clarification for data accuracy and engage in research collaboration opportunities. Another option is to utilize research audits. External audits allow reviewers to check for data accuracy (Creswell & Poth, 2018).

Quantitative research validity encompasses three primary aspects: internal, external, and reliability (Creswell & Miller, 2000). For example, the researcher can validate the study by analyzing if it actually speaks to what it is designed to research. Moreover, external validity relates to how the study is comparable to other populations (McMahon & Fleury, 2012). Reliability refers to the study’s ability to be repeated and the answers produced during the repetition. These three primary validity and reliability measures for quantitative studies vary from qualitative (Creswell & Poth, 2018). Qualitative involves the aforementioned reliability and validity checks and depends on the study’s credibility, transferability, and dependability. Theories can assist with validating qualitative research. Social science assists with shaping questions and results, while advocacy theory assists with oppresses groups or individuals (Creswell & Poth, 2018).

Employing Validation and Reliability

The validation and reliability constructs that would be best employed in the qualitative research conducted in this course and possible dissertation topics are triangulation of data sources and close relationships with the research participants. Obtaining data about doctoral persistence requires the researcher to spend time in the “field” and develop working relationships (Creswell & Miller, 2000). Triangulation would allow the researcher to consider multiple points of data to answer the questions pertaining to the research (Rooshenas et al., 2019). For example, a researcher would spend time in the field and use the information from multiple sources to analyze the data. A researcher would not simply interview two doctoral students and move forward. Prolonged engagement would allow for reliability in qualitative research as well.

Christian Researcher

Demonstrating validity and reliability is important for a Christian researcher because a Christian researcher will seek the truth for research, even at the cost of the project. Proverbs 12:22 (ESV) says, “Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight.” A Christian researcher will want to do justice by his or her research and will practice integrity. Proverbs 11:3 (ESV) says, “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.” Validation and reliability help a researcher confirm what the research produces; thus, a Christian researcher will desire to employ validation and reliability to present truthfulness and integrity-driven data.

Considering Keller

Keller’s statement means a Christian will conduct research with high standards, integrity, and as an extension of God’s work. As Keller (2012) discusses, God gifted humankind with the ability to work and freely think; therefore, humans should use said gift to produce research that honors the Lord. Thus, a researcher will take the proper steps to ensure the data is honest, applicable, and reliable. Without the checks and balances, researchers would simply produce work with no merit and “disadvantage the community” (Keller, 2012, p. 203).

References

Creswell, J. W., & Miller, D. L. (2000). Determining validity in qualitative inquiry. Theory into practice, 39(3), 124-130.

Creswell, J. W. & Poth, C. N. (2018). Qualitative inquiry & research design: Choosing among five approaches (4th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. ISBN: 9781506330204.

Keller, T & Alsdorf, K. (2012). Every good endeavor: Connecting your work to God’s work. Penguin Random House LLC. ISBN: 9780525952701.

McMahon, S., & Fleury, J. (2012). External validity of physical activity interventions for community?dwelling older adults with fall risk: A quantitative systematic literature review. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 68(10), 2140-2154. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2648.2012.05974.x

Rooshenas, L., Paramasivan, S., Jepson, M., & Donovan, J. L. (2019). Intensive triangulation of qualitative research and quantitative data to improve recruitment to randomized trials: The QuinteT approach. Qualitative Health Research, 29(5), 672-679. doi:10.1177/1049732319828693

Whittemore, R., Chase, S. K., & Mandle, C. L. (2001). Validity in Qualitative Research. Qualitative Health Research, 11(4), 522–537. https://doi.org/10.1177/104973201129119299