Quantitative research |
Qualitative research |
||
Criterion |
Meaning and procedure |
Criterion |
Meaning and procedure |
Reliability |
Same findings upon replication? Test-retest & interrater reliability |
Dependability; Trustworthiness; Consistency |
Similar context yields similar findings? Inquiry audit |
Internal validity |
Measured what intention was? Experimental control; statistical triangulation |
Credibility |
Compatibility between respondents’ and reported perceptions? Prolonged engagement; member checks; quality record; narrative triangulation |
External validity |
Generalisability to population? Random sampling |
Transferability |
Applicable to other cases and contexts? Purposive sampling; detailed descriptions of process |
‘Objectivity’ |
Reflecting own views? Control over subjective factors |
Confirmability |
Findings not function of biases of researcher? Audit trail; trust & rapport with subject; intersubjectivity |
Replicability |
Can next researcher replicate the study? Peer reviewed publication |
Replicability |
Clear description of procedures? Appropriate peer-reviewed publication |
Source: Golafshani, 2003