Assessment criteria:
• Identification of key elements in the given
paper, with reference to theories of learning;
• An evaluation of the trustworthiness of the
research;
• A discussion of the implications of author’s
conclusions for education;
• Correct HARVARD referencing;
• Use of Academic English.
Trustworthiness
• The aim of trustworthiness in a qualitative
inquiry is to support the argument that the
inquiry’s findings are “worth paying attention
to” (Lincoln & Guba, 1985, p.290). This is quite
different from the conventional experimental
precedent of attempting to show validity,
soundness, and significance.
In any qualitative research, four issues of
trustworthiness demand attention:
• credibility,
• transferability,
• dependability, and
• confirmability.
Credibility - confidence in the 'truth' of the
findings
Credibility because of Prolonged Engagement
Prolonged Engagement Definition
• Spending sufficient time in the field to learn or understand
the culture, social setting, or phenomenon of interest.
See http://www.qualres.org/HomeLinc-3684.html
• This involves spending adequate time observing various
aspects of a setting, speaking with a range of people, and
developing relationships and rapport with members of the
culture.
• Development of rapport and trust facilitates understanding
and co-construction of meaning between researcher and
members of a setting.
Transferability is the degree
to which the findings of
this inquiry can apply or
transfer beyond the
bounds of the project.
Dependability - showing that the
findings are consistent and could be
repeated e.g through External audits
• Definition
• External audits involve having a researcher not involved in the research
process examine both the process and product of the research study. The
purpose is to evaluate the accuracy and evaluate whether or not the
findings, interpretations and conclusions are supported by the data.
• The Positive Aspects of External Auditing
• External audits are conducted to foster the accuracy or validity of a
research study.
• External audits provide an opportunity for an outsider to challenge the
process and findings of a research study. This can provide:
• an opportunity to summarize preliminary findings
• an opportunity to assess adequacy of data and preliminary results
• important feedback that can lead to additional data gathering and
the development of stronger and better articulated findings
Confirmability – This means
that researchers must take steps to
demonstrate that findings emerge
from the data and not from their
own predispositions or researcher
bias i.e. that a degree of neutrality
exists – How have the authors in the
article addressed the issue of
confirmability? See
http://www.qualres.org/HomeLinc-3684.html