Topic 1
Scientific rigor in qualitative research
Before we discuss the objectives, let’s review previous information regarding qualitative research.
- Quantitative research is undertaken to discover cause and effect relationships and relationships between variables. Results of quantitative research are described in terms of numbers.
- Qualitative research is conducted to discover meaning rather than cause and effect. Qualitative research describes findings in language and words rather than numbers.
- The world view from a qualitative perspective includes the following thoughts:
- There is no single reality.
- Reality is based on individual perceptions.
- Reality is different for each person.
- Reality changes over time.
- What we know has meaning only within a given context or situation.
| Objective 1: Describe the scientific rigor associated with qualitative research. |
| How is scientific rigor accomplished in qualitative research? |
Qualitative research has often been called “soft” science because its merit and rigor are not judged by the same criteria as quantitative research. Rigor in quantitative research is judged by how narrow, concise, and objective the design and analysis techniques are and how scrupulously the rules have been adhered to and applied to all decisions. Rigor in qualitative research is defined by quite the opposite set of criteria and is associated with being open to the data, scrupulously adhering to a specific philosophical perspective, and thoroughness in collecting data. Rigor is also judged by the logic of the emerging theory and whether the results are adding to what is known about a phenomenon.