Qualitative Research Process: Maintaining Consistency
When conducting qualitative research, consistency is key to maintaining the reliability and validity of the study. Here’s an outline of the key steps:
1. Problem Statement
- Gap found in the literature.
2. Research Purpose
- Understand, Explain, Describe, Illustrate, Explore, Conceptualize.
3. Research Question
- Exploratory in nature.
4. Research Design
- Research Plan: A logical description of how data will be collected and analyzed to address the research questions.
5. Research Approach
- Sampling Strategy
- Data Collection Strategy
6. Philosophical Assumptions or Paradigm
- Ontology (about reality)
- Epistemology (about knowledge)
- Axiology (about value)
7. Researcher's Role(s)
- Researcher's background, beliefs, perspectives, and biases.
8. Analysis of Data
- Data analysis methods used to identify patterns and themes.
9. Quality Assurance
- Credibility
- Transferability
- Dependability
10. Presentation and Interpretation of Results
- Communicate findings in a clear and meaningful way.
By maintaining consistency in these stages, researchers can ensure the integrity and trustworthiness of their qualitative research.