Reliability and validity are considered vital concepts in research. However, it is argued that complete reliability and validity are not always possible; rather, they are goals to be strived towards. Researchers always aim to attain some measure of reliability and validity in their studies (De Vos et al., 2011).
This study made use of Lincoln and Guba’s model for assessing trustworthiness (Babbie &
Mouton, 2001; De Vos et al., 2001). The model is based on four constructs: credibility, dependability, transferability and conformability.
4.7.1 Credibility
According to De Vos et al., (2011:419), “credibility is the alternative to internal validity, where the goal is to demonstrate that the inquiry was conducted in such a manner as to ensure that the subject has been accurately identified and described”. Credibility refers to believability and the value of the findings (Lincoln & Guba, 1985). Truth value in qualitative research is obtained from the discovery of human experiences as they are perceived by the informants. Triangulation of different sources of information and different methods of data collection was utilised to
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inform the credibility of this study. Triangulation reinforces a study by making use of diverse data collection methods. One-on-one interviews were conducted as well as the discussions by the focus group. The researcher also achieved synergy with other literature when the data was evaluated. Moreover, the field notes and data gathered from the individual case files added to the comprehensiveness of the analysis.
An effort was made to interview a diverse range of participants across socio-economic standing and gender as a means of enriching the findings of this exploratory study and affording greater depth of understanding. Peer debriefing was also utilised. According to Siegle (2006), peer debriefing occurs when the project is discussed with a colleague of similar status who is positioned outside the context of the study but who has a general understanding of the nature of the study.
Various aspects of this research were discussed with a senior colleague who was an experienced social worker under the sub-programme of childcare and protection and also the research supervisor. These people offered useful insights which ensured that the credibility of the study would be maintained. A specialist teacher also assisted in translating the responses from isiXhosa into English. This ensured that the data would not be misinterpreted when evaluated. The transcripts were revised with reference to the tape recordings and this helped the researcher to demystify unclear concepts and elaborate on vague transcriptions. However, the researcher acknowledges that even though peer reviewers were involved in the transcribing process, some data could have lost meaning in the translation process. However, every effort was made to contain and control any inaccuracies that might arise.
4.7.2 Transferability
This refers to how transferable or applicable the findings are to other cases or settings (De Vos et al., 2005). The latter authors claim that “generalising findings in qualitative research may be challenging as the research takes place in real and natural settings where there are few controlling variables, but it is possible if the researcher could demonstrate that the study was guided by concepts, models and the use of multiple data-collection methods” (De Vos et al., 2011:420). These authors also suggest that the study’s generalisability can be enhanced through triangulation (as described above). A diverse range of participants and different data collection
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methods namely one-on-one interviews, a focus group discussion, field notes and participant case files were used in an attempt to strengthen the transferability of this study to other settings.
4.7.3 Dependability
Dependability refers to whether the findings will be consistent if the research were to be conducted with the same people or in a similar context. Babbie and Mouton (2007) argue that there can be no credibility without dependability; therefore, the presence of credibility is sufficient to establish the existence of dependability. In an attempt to add to the dependability of this study, different methods of data collection were used. The research processes that were used to conduct the study are also reported in detail in this dissertation, and this will enable a future researcher to be able to develop a thorough understanding of the methods and their effectiveness and to repeat the study without necessarily obtaining the exact findings if conducted in a different context.
4.7.4 Conformability
Conformability refers to how sure the researcher is that the findings reflect the views of the subjects of the study and the inquiry itself and not the biases and prejudices of the researcher (De Vos et al., 2011). The researcher used an interview schedule as a tool to guide both the one-on- one interviews and the focus group discussion. Questions provided in the interview schedule were in line with the core objectives of the study. The researcher audio taped all the interviews to ensure accurate transcriptions of all the data. The researcher has kept all the raw data, including the interview schedule, the field notes, the recordings and the transcriptions in safe storage. In line with the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s policy on storage and the disposal of research data, the voice recordings and transcripts will be stored in a locked cabinet at the university, and the soft copies (electronic data) will be kept in a password protected folder on the supervisor’s desktop. At the end of a five-year period, the voice recordings as well as the written documents (transcripts) will be destroyed. This form of disposal is non-reversible and there is a zero chance that the records will be stolen or compromised.
The findings resulting from the data analyses were documented to ensure that the data and findings can be reviewed and confirmed by a third party, should the need arise. The research supervisor also assisted in formulating the themes and sub-themes from the data to certify that
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findings reflect the true responses of participants and not the preconceptions of the researcher.
The findings will also be shared with the research participants if they chose and they will be able to confirm the research findings to determine that they are a true reflection of the information that they provided. According to Siegle (2006), a qualitative study cannot be transferable unless it is credible, and it cannot be credible unless it is dependable.