Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Publication Date
4-2012
Page Numbers
99-110
ISSN
9780646579573
Embargo Period
8-12-2012
Reportable Items (HERDC/ERA)
E1
Abstract
While the evaluation of quantitative research frequently depends on judgements based on the “holy trinity” of objectivity, reliability and validity (Spencer, Ritchie, Lewis, & Dillon, 2003, p. 59), applying these traditional criteria to qualitative research is not always a “good fit” (Schofield, 2002). Instead, educational researchers who engage in qualitative research have suggested various sets of alternative criteria including: transferability, generalisability, ontological authenticity, reciprocity, dependability, confirmability, reflexivity, fittingness, vitality and, even, sacredness and goodness (Creswell, 2002; Garman, 1996; Guba & Lincoln, 1989; Patton, 2002; Spencer et al., 2003; Stige, Malterud, & Midtgarden, 2009). While over one hundred sets of qualitative research criteria have been identified (Stige et al., 2009), some researchers warn against the absolute application of any criteria to qualitative research which is, by its nature, wide‐ranging and varied, and does not necessarily lend itself to the straightforward application of any evaluation criteria. Nevertheless, whether or not criteria are applied at all in the research evaluation process, postgraduate students face a number of decisions associated with the process of evaluating qualitative research: 1) whether or not to adopt a set of appraisal criteria; 2) which criteria to select, if criteria are used; and 3) how to apply alternative approaches to criteria‐focused evaluation. These decisions often require a paradigm shift (Khun, 1962) in the way postgraduate students perceive and approach their research. The messiness and complexity associated with such decisions can be confronting. This paper examines a number of approaches used by researchers to evaluate qualitative investigations in educational research.
Peer Review
Before publication
Recommended Citation
Northcote, M. (2012). Selecting criteria to evaluate qualitative research. In M. Kiley (Ed.), Narratives of Transition: Perspectives of Research Leaders, Educators & Postgraduates. Paper presented at the 10th Quality in Postgraduate Research Conference, Stamford Grand, Adelaide, 17-20 April (pp. 99-110). Canberra, Australia: The Centre for Higher Education, Learning and Teaching. The Australian National University. Retrieved from http://www.qpr.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/QPR_2012_proceedings-1.pdf.
Comments
Used by permission: the author
The full proceedings can be accessed from the conference website here