What is reliability in qualitative research, and how is it established without numerical measures?

What is reliability in qualitative research, and how is it established without numerical measures?

• A. Reliability in qualitative research refers to dependability and consistency; established via audit trails, triangulation, reflexivity, and member checks.
• B. Reliability is measured by Cronbach's alpha in qualitative studies.
• C. Reliability is not relevant in qualitative research.
• D. Reliability is the same as validity.

Answer: (A)

Reliability in qualitative research means dependability and consistency of the findings across the study, rather than a numeric score. Since qualitative work doesn’t rely on statistics, reliability is shown through transparent, process-oriented practices: an audit trail that documents data collection and analytical decisions so others can follow how conclusions were reached; triangulation, which uses multiple data sources, methods, or researchers to cross-check findings; reflexivity, where researchers actively reflect on how their backgrounds and choices may influence the study; and member checks, where participants review and confirm that the interpretations fit their experiences. This approach builds trust in the study’s results without numerical measures. It’s worth noting that Cronbach’s alpha belongs to quantitative methods for internal consistency and isn’t appropriate here.

Reliability in qualitative research means dependability and consistency of the findings across the study, rather than a numeric score. Since qualitative work doesn’t rely on statistics, reliability is shown through transparent, process-oriented practices: an audit trail that documents data collection and analytical decisions so others can follow how conclusions were reached; triangulation, which uses multiple data sources, methods, or researchers to cross-check findings; reflexivity, where researchers actively reflect on how their backgrounds and choices may influence the study; and member checks, where participants review and confirm that the interpretations fit their experiences. This approach builds trust in the study’s results without numerical measures. It’s worth noting that Cronbach’s alpha belongs to quantitative methods for internal consistency and isn’t appropriate here.