Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

A)  Requires alignment among researchers' philosophical assumptions, research questions, study design, data generation, data analysis, and interpretation. 
B)  Ensures measures or instruments used in research are as reliable and valid as possible, including measuring tools and processes being in good working order 
C)  Consists of a 32-item checklist 
D)  Specifies a formal system for classifying phenomena

Question 2

What does trustworthiness entail?

Accepted Answer

A)  Considering certain study characteristics that may suggest high quality research. 
B)  Reflecting on all aspects of a study and then considering alternative approaches with the intent of having a well-conceived research plan. 
C)  Aligning all components of a research design with one another. 
D)  Convincing an audience that study findings are worth paying attention to and worth taking account of.

Question 3

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.

Accepted Answer

A)  An observation 
B)  The peer-review process 
C)  Member checking 
D)  An interpretive framework

Question 4

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.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Critique the sampling strategy in the following...

Question 5

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"?

Accepted Answer

A)  External auditor 
B)  Prolonged time in the field 
C)  Clarify bias 
D)  Triangulation

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

A)  Validity 
B)  Ethics 
C)  Philosophical worldviews 
D)  Research designs

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 8

Which of the following represents an audit trail?

Accepted Answer

A)  A team of researchers keeps a detailed recollection of their research process, including participant recruitment materials, focus group guides, transcribed focus groups (with changes from member checks), data analysis materials (e.g., code book and detailed process), and emergent themes. Someone external to the team reviews these materials to look for any problems or issues. 
B)  A researcher engages in an armchair walkthrough to help plan a coherent study. 
C)  When researchers have some expectation about the performance of participants and are in a position to assess performance, their knowledge of the study could influence their judgment on the way they respond to participants. This may lead to coercing the participants. 
D)  A researcher maintains prolonged engagement with participants to enhance the quality of the research. Sustained time at the research site can help participants feel more natural in the presence of the researcher, while also allowing researchers to check their own perceptions.

Question 9

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).

Accepted Answer

The answer of Discuss the similarities and differences between the...

Question 10

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

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

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?

Accepted Answer

A)  Objectivity 
B)  Neutrality 
C)  Participant pseudonyms 
D)  Characterizing traits

Question 12

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

Accepted Answer

A)  Research team and reflexivity 
B)  Study design 
C)  Internal and external validity 
D)  Analysis and findings

Question 13

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

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

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

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

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

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

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

Accepted Answer

A)  Applicability 
B)  Consistency 
C)  Neutrality 
D)  Truth Value

Question 17

What does purposeful sampling in qualitative research studies include?

Accepted Answer

A)  Intentionally recruiting individuals that are information-rich. 
B)  Assuring that the different units in the population have equal probabilities of being chosen. 
C)  Drawing a sample from groups of people that are convenient. 
D)  Dividing groups on a characteristic before random selection takes place.

Question 18

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?

Accepted Answer

A)  Presenting findings in a rich manner 
B)  Considering how one's experiences shape the research process 
C)  Identifying units that represent a characteristic of interest 
D)  Using a template to guide one's field notes

Question 19

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

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are characterizing traits, and how are...

Question 20

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

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

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 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?

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.