Qualitative Research Methodology

Ensuring Rigor:
The 4 Pillars of Trustworthiness

Moving beyond "validity" and "reliability." Discover how Lincoln & Guba (1985) redefined quality in qualitative inquiry.

A Shift in Perspective

Unlike quantitative research which often emphasizes validity and reliability, qualitative research ensures rigor through the concept of trustworthiness.

Pillar 1 Credibility
Pillar 2 Transferability
Pillar 3 Dependability
Pillar 4 Confirmability

Credibility

Definition

Confidence that the findings accurately represent participants’ experiences.

Strategies

  • Member-checking: Asking participants to review findings.
  • Prolonged engagement: Spending sufficient time in the field.
  • Triangulation: Using multiple data sources or methods.

Example

"Sharing interview transcripts with participants to verify accuracy."

Transferability

Definition

The extent to which findings can apply to other contexts or groups.

Strategies

  • Providing thick description of context and setting.
  • Allowing readers to judge applicability themselves based on details.

Example

"A case study of online learning with rich detail allows other universities to compare with their own context."

Dependability

Definition

The stability and consistency of findings over time and across conditions.

Strategies

  • Keeping a detailed audit trail of methods & coding.
  • Peer debriefing with colleagues to test interpretations.
  • Stepwise replication or code–recode checks.

Example

"Documenting every stage of coding so another researcher could follow the same steps."

Confirmability

Definition

The degree to which findings are shaped by participants and not researcher bias.

Strategies

  • Reflexivity (journaling assumptions).
  • Audit trail showing how data led to conclusions.
  • Triangulation to minimize subjective influence.

Example

"Using reflexive notes to acknowledge the researcher’s own perspective."

Comparative Summary

Criterion Primary Focus Key Strategies
Credibility Accuracy of representation Member-checking, triangulation, prolonged engagement
Transferability Applicability in other contexts Thick description
Dependability Consistency of findings Audit trail, peer debriefing
Confirmability Neutrality of findings Reflexivity, audit trail, triangulation

Reflection Activity

Consider your own qualitative study. Which trustworthiness criterion would be the most challenging for you to achieve, and what specific strategies could you adopt?

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