Exam 9: Evaluating the Merits of Qualitative Research Studies in Kinesiology

Janice Morse proposed the principle of methodological coherence as an indicator of quality research that does which of the following?

What does trustworthiness entail?

Which strategy to enhance trustworthiness, rigour, and validation is used in the following scenario? A researcher generates data from eight one-on-one semi-structured interviews with new healthcare practitioners to explore their self-care practices as they transition into full-time positions in the healthcare field. After transcribing each interview the researcher sends each participant her/his respective transcript for review.

Critique the sampling strategy in the following qualitative research study, adapted from Crust, Swann, Allen-Collinson, Breckon, and Weinberg (2014): Although sport has provided an ideal context for exploring mental toughness, currently, there is little research examining how this construct might be equally applicable in exercise settings. The present qualitative research study aimed to understand and conceptualise exercise mental toughness through in-depth interviews with exercise leaders and exercise participants. Seven exercise leaders and seven exercisers were randomly selected to participate in this study. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed independently by members of the research team. Key themes were agreed and member checking was used to promote trustworthiness of interpretations. Mental toughness was recognisable in exercise settings, with 10 general dimensions found to be reflective of conceptualisations derived from sport (e.g. commitment, focus). Importantly, present findings reveal how mentally tough exercisers think and behave in exercise settings.

Which strategy to enhance trustworthiness, rigour, and validation is highlighted when a researcher notes "A qualitative approach including interviews, observations, and meeting minutes were used in the data collection"?

When evaluating research studies, what is the base or foundation from which all evaluation should stem?

Member checking might consist of participants reviewing the data they generated and/or emergent study findings.

Which of the following represents an audit trail?

Discuss the similarities and differences between the four aspects of trustworthiness that may be used as a starting place to evaluate qualitative research studies (i.e., truth value, applicability, consistency, and neutrality) with criteria used to evaluate quantitative research studies (i.e., internal validity, reliability, and objectivity).

Whether a research study is quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods, a researcher's credentials should be the foundation from which all evaluation should stem.

A researcher conducting a qualitative study strives for her study findings to be based on the participants' meanings and experiences, and not merely a function of her personal motivations and perspectives. What is the researcher striving for in this study?

Which of the following is not a criteria/category in the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ)?

Measurement validity and reliability is a domain of Tong et al.'s (2007) Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ).

Researchers conducting qualitative studies should employ five strategies that contribute to the trustworthiness of the study to ensure high-quality research.

One approach to evaluating the merits of a qualitative study is to take a relativistic approach.

An aspect of trustworthiness that refers to the dependability of a qualitative study is known as what?

What does purposeful sampling in qualitative research studies include?

Researcher reflexivity consists of two parts. The first part entails reflecting on one's own experiences with the phenomenon/sample being studied. What is the second part of researcher reflexivity?

What are characterizing traits, and how are they used to evaluate qualitative research studies?

Rich, thick descriptions are created only when study findings are presented.