types of reliability in qualitative research

Validity also establishes the soundness of the methodology, sampling process, data analysis process, and conclusion of the study (Golafshani, 2003). Validity relates to the appropriateness of any research value, tools and techniques, and processes, including data collection and validation (Mohamad et al., 2015).

However, since it cannot be quantified, the question of its correctness is critical. Qualitative data is as important as quantitative data, as it also helps in establishing key research points. Establishing the validity of qualitative data This article clarifies how to establish the validity and reliability of qualitative research using various tools and techniques. Here the researcher’s subjectivity can highly influence the interpretation of the data. This aspect becomes particularly vital in case studies involving primary data analysis. They also assure readers that the findings of the study are credible and trustworthy. When handled meticulously, the reliability and validity parameters help differentiate between good and bad research. The merits of each type were discussed, with the subsequent discussion focusing on the deductive nature of reliable thematic coding, the limited depth of immediately verifiable data and the usefulness of such studies to health promotion and the advancement of the qualitative paradigm.The validity and reliability of qualitative research represent the key aspects of the quality of research. The articles were then classified into four types of reliability assessments, including the verification of thematic codes, the use of inter-rater reliability statistics, congruence in team coding and congruence in coding across sites. The use of reliability assessments increased over the study period, ranging from <20% in 2003/2004 to 50% and above in 2008/2009, while at the same time the total number of qualitative articles decreased. In total, 31.3% (20/64) articles employed some form of reliability assessment.

All qualitative articles published in the journal Health Promotion International from 2003 to 2009 employing reliability assessments were examined. In this article, I examine the use of reliability assessments in qualitative health promotion research in response to health promotion researchers' commonly held misconception that reliability assessments improve the rigor of qualitative research. This article contributes to the debate about the use of reliability assessments in qualitative research in general, and health promotion research in particular.

Types of reliability in qualitative research