Post #1 (TJ)
Qualitative research differs in the way of methods and techniques used to arrive at conclusions. Cohen and Crabtee (2008) found, “Conducting ethically sound research involved carrying out research in a way that was respectful, humane, and honest, and that embodied the values of empathy, collaboration, and service” (p. 333). Additionally, the conclusions that are drawn from qualitative vice quantitative conclusions are markedly different. Mandal (2018) set forth:
It becomes difficult in qualitative research to come to a common conclusion. Since one of the problems in qualitative research is to arrive at a common conclusion, one of the biggest challenges confronting qualitative researchers is how to ensure quality and trustworthiness of their research. (p. 591)
There are a few ways in which to determine if qualitative research is sound. Some of the criteria for ensuring that qualitative research is sound involves both internal and external validity, as well as ensuring the study is dependable and unbiased (Lincoln & Guba, 1985). When a study possesses these criteria, it can be deemed reliable.
The epistemological and ontological assumptions relate to the real world and the functions of human beings and their interactions with one another. Theories studying the social sciences must be concerned with social science and behavior, unlike quantitative studies and the scientific method. Theories studying social sciences must be verifiable, reliable, and relate to the real world.
One ethical issue in qualitative research is the bias and contamination of any potential relationship between those being study and those who are doing the studying. Sanjari et al (2014) articulated, “Considering the nature of qualitative studies, the interaction between researchers and participants can be ethically challenging for the former, as they are personally involved in different stages of the study” (p. 2). This relationship was never more evident in a qualitative research than the Stanford Experiment conducted by Dr. Philip Zimbardo. The study became so explosive that it was cut short and ended far more prematurely than was anticipated. Research designs must be designed to formulate a clear and coherent line between researchers and participants so as to ensure there is no connection, and the study is not contaminated.
Qualitative research is amenable to scientific study if it is reliable and replicable and is based on a sound topic. Garza (2005) revealed, “Qualitative research affords opportunities to expand the scope of psychological inquiry to regions not amenable to quantification, but also raises particular challenges with regard to the notions of reliability, internal and external validity” (p. 2). Qualitative studies that are reliable when they can be evaluated under a quantitative approach and thus are amenable to scientific study.
References
Cohen, D. J., & Crabtree, B. F. (2008). Evaluative criteria for qualitative research in health care:
controversies and recommendations. The Annals of Family Medicine, 6(4), 331-339.
Garza, G. (2005). The science of qualitative research: Validity and reliability re-framed in terms
of meaning. Science and Qualitative Research, 1-14.
Lincoln, Y. S., & Guba, E. G. (1985). Naturalistic inquiry. Thousand Oaks, CA:
Sage.
Mandal, P. (2018). Qualitative research: Criteria of evaluation. International journal of academic
research and development, 3(2), 591-596.
Sanjari, M., Bahramnezhad, F., Fomani, F. K., Shoghi, M., & Cheraghi, M. A. (2014). Ethical
challenges of researchers in qualitative studies: The necessity to develop a specific guideline. Journal of medical ethics and history of medicine, 7.
Post #2 (KT)
Evaluating Criteria
Qualitative research assists in the development of ideas or hypotheses. For this reason, there are several criteria for evaluating the quality of qualitative research designs. Two that I believe are of great importance are credibility and dependability. Credibility is when the findings accurately reflect the reality as seen by the participants, it’s the first aspect or criterion that must be established (Burkholder, Cox, Crawford, 2016). Dependability accounts for instability and changes within the natural context references and trustworthiness because it creates the research study’s findings as consistent and repeatable (Buckholder, Cox, Crawford 2016). Hence, for a study to be deemed good quality, you must establish these factors to be consistent and trustworthy.
Epistemological and Ontological
The best method to present validity in a study is to show dependability. (Golafshani, 2003). Therefore, when speaking of the ontological assumption that best relates to the importance of credibility and dependability in the research, I believe it is realism because it uses objective data to identify the study’s truth. You have to understand data and not make assumptions. However, this approach’s epistemological assumptions value objectivity and truth, therefore eliminating bias and understanding the data in its entirety.
Ethical Issues
One potential ethical issue in qualitative research is confidentiality. Additionally, this arises a lot in qualitative research and can be extremely harmful to the study. Babie (2017) states that social research often calls for an intrusion into people’s lives, and researchers must protect these participants at all costs. To counteract this, researchers should always preserve their respondents’ identities unless written consent is given to share their information publicly. From previous experience, ethical principles must be invariably followed in pertinent research findings and methods.
Amenable to Qualitative Research
A research topic is amenable to scientific study in a few ways, one being when it agrees with the research approach or design. Furthermore, the research question should align with the theory and design of the qualitative research study. Essentially, The research has to lead to reliable and valid results.
Reference
Babbie, E. (2015). The basics of social research (7th ed.). CENGAGE Learning Custom
Publishing.
Burkholder, G. J., Cox, K. A., & Crawford, L. M. (2016). The scholar-practitioner’s guide to
research design. Baltimore, MD: Laureate Publishing.
Golafshani, N. (2003). Understanding reliability and validity in qualitative research. The
Qualitative Report, 8(4), 597–606. Retrieved from http://nsuworks.nova.edu/tqr/vol8/iss4/6