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Abstract
Aim To provide examples of a qualitative multiple case study to illustrate the specific strategies that can be used to ensure the credibility, dependability, confirmability and transferability of a study.
Background There is increasing recognition of the valuable contribution qualitative research can make to nursing knowledge. However, it is important that the research is conducted in a rigorous manner and that this is demonstrated in the final research report.
Data sources A multiple case study that explored the role of the clinical skills laboratory in preparing students for the real world of practice. Multiple sources of evidence were collected: semi-structured interviews (n=58), non-participant observations at five sites and documentary sources.
Discussion Strategies to ensure the rigour of this research were prolonged engagement and persistent observation, triangulation, peer debriefing, member checking, audit trail, reflexivity, and thick descriptions. Practical examples of how these strategies can be implemented are provided to guide researchers interested in conducting rigorous case study research.
Conclusion While the flexible nature of qualitative research should be embraced, strategies to ensure rigour must be in place.
Keywords Multiple case study research, rigour
THERE IS increasing recognition of the valuable contribution qualitative research can make to nursing knowledge. Furthermore, qualitative research is being valued for its differences to quantitative research, rather than being perceived as having methodological shortcomings in comparison. Through recognising these differences, it is understood that the quality of qualitative research cannot be judged comparatively with quantitative research, which emphasises validity and reliability (Cutcliffe and McKenna 1999, Carter and Porter 2000).
Qualitative research is an artistic endeavour and requires a soulful and imaginative approach to assessing its quality (Tesch 1990, Sandelowski 1993). There are different criteria used to assess the rigour of qualitative research but the most common are those proposed by Lincoln and Guba (1985): credibility, dependability, confirmability and transferability. This paper examines the use of these criteria to determine the rigour of qualitative case-study research (CSR). Practical examples of how these strategies can be implemented will be provided to guide researchers interested in conducting rigorous case study research.
Qualitative case-study research
CSR is useful for the study of a phenomenon in its natural context (Stake 1995, Yin 2003). Multiple case studies allow comparisons, particularly in diverse settings (Darke et al...