RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.7 QUALITY CRITERIA
In assessing the quality and soundness of this research, validity, reliability, objectivity credibility, transferability, dependability and confirmability were considered (Trochim, Donnely & Arora, 2016: 71).
3.7.1 Validity
Sürücü and Maslakçi (2020: 2696) state that a meaningful and appropriate interpretation of data that is obtained from a measuring tool as a result of the analyses determines validity. They further argue that it is often difficult to measure the validity of a measuring instrument. However, measuring validity is more significant than assessing and measuring the reliability of an instrument. According to Mohajan (2017:
14), validity is the degree to which the study results are honest. Validity of research refers to the extent to which requirements of scientific research methods have been followed during the process of producing the findings. They are compulsory
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requirements for all kinds of studies. The researcher strove for honesty regarding the handling of data collection and analysis.
3.7.2 Reliability
Reliability is defined as the stability of a measuring instrument that is used and the consistency of the instrument over time. In simple terms, reliability refers to the ability of measuring instruments to yield similar results when used in different times.
Reliability of the measuring instrument is an important factor to consider for the health of the study results (Sürücü & Maslakçi, 2020: 2707). Reliability also refers to a measuring tool that yields results that are consistent with equal values, and measures consistency, precision, repeatability and trustworthiness of research. In other qualitative research, the term ‘dependability’ is often used instead of reliability, referring to the degree to which a measuring tool yields consistent and stable (free from errors) results (Mohajan, 2017: 10). The data collected was reliable in that the instruments could be used in different times to yield similar results.
3.7.3 Objectivity
Researchers must be objective by controlling their personal preferences and prejudices, and interpret data clearly from the evidence and not their judgement. One must be able to interpret and convey authentic and true facts of the observation of any research study (Berger, 1991). This also refers to the willingness and ability to analyse evidence without bias. Objectivity in research means a value-free research; thus a major condition of a good research. It is the opposite of subjectivity (Nahrin, 2015: 1).
Objectivity implies eliminating subjectivity when producing findings. It is referred to as a universal trait of the sciences, distinguishing them from points of view that are unscientific (Khatwani & Panhwar, 2019: 131). The researcher controlled her personal preferences and prejudices by handling data objectively.
3.7.4 Credibility
Credibility implies that the results should be credible from the view of the participant involved in research. This suggests the extent to which the results make sense
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(Trochim, Donnely & Arora, 2016: 71). Credibility is believed to be equivalent to internal validity in quantitative research, and is concerned with the elements of truth- value. Prolonged engagement, persistent observation, triangulation and member checking are suggested strategies to ensure credibility. When an individual designs his or her study, it is important that one determines which strategies to use as not all strategies are suitable for all the studies (Korstjens & Moser, 2018: 121). In addition, credibility can also be achieved through the process of member checking to test the findings and interpretations with the participants (Nowell, Norris, White & Moules, 2017: 3). The aim of credibility is to create confidence that the results from the participant’s perspective are credible, believable and true (Forero, Nahidi, De Costa, Mohsin, Fitzgerald, Gibson, McCarthy & Aboagye-Sarfo, 2018: 3). Triangulation assisted the researcher to ensure credibility of the results of the study.
3.7.5 Transferability
Transferability suggests that the results of the research should be generalised and transferred to other settings or contexts. This can be done by defining and describing the research contexts and assumptions central to the research (Trochim, Donnely &
Arora, 2016: 71). Transferability simply means the extent to which the research results can be transferred and generalised to other contexts and settings (Forero et al., 2018:
3). When selecting the sample, the researcher ensured that the results could be transferred and generalised to other contexts such as HBUs in other provinces in SA.
Transferability is concerned with the part of applicability. The researcher must provide a thorough and rich description of the research participants and its process to enable the reader to assess whether the research findings can be transferable to their own settings, also referred to as transferability judgement (Korstjens & Moser 2018: 122).
It simply refers to the generalisability of research findings. By providing a thick description of the participants, the researcher will be assisting those who may need to transfer the findings to their own sites (Nowell et al., 2017: 3).
3.7.6 Dependability
Dependability emphasises that the researcher must always be in a position to account for the context that is ever-changing within which the research happens. The
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researcher should describe and explain how these changes may affect the outcome of the results (Trochim, Donnely & Arora, 2016: 71). The researcher could account for the changing context of the research. Dependability also involves some part of consistency. The researcher must verify as to whether the process of data analysis is aligned with standards that are accepted for a specific design (Korstjens & Moser, 2018: 122). In order for one to achieve dependability, one should make sure that the research process is logical, traceable and well documented (Nowell et al., 2017: 3).
Dependability also means that the researcher needs to ensure that the findings of a qualitative study can be repeated if the inquiry happened with the same group of participants, coders and contexts (Forero et al., 2018: 3).
3.7.7 Confirmability
Confirmability looks at the extent to which each researcher comes to the same conclusion of the results of a similar study. The results should be confirmed and corroborated by other researchers (Trochim, Donnely & Arora, 2016: 71).
Confirmability involves some part of neutrality. The data collected reflects some neutrality. As a researcher, the interpretation should not include the researcher’s specific viewpoints and preferences but should be grounded in the research data. The research must secure the inter-subjectivity of the data (Korstjens & Moser, 2018: 122).
Confirmability can further be explained as being concerned with ensuring that the researcher’s findings and interpretations are derived clearly form the data. This requires the researcher to indicate how he or she has reached the conclusions and interpretations (Nowell et al., 2017: 3). In simple terms, confirmability means the extent to which the confidence that the findings would be confirmed or corroborated by other researchers (Forero et al., 2018: 3).