Validity and reliability of the data collecting tool in a qualitative research are essential to ensure the truthfulness of the research findings is protected. As such, it is important that the findings of a particular research be consistent if a similar study was to be taken in future to prove the existence of a certain phenomenon (Elo et al., 2013). As such, a tool should not give mixed results in a similar circumstance with same conditions. It is vital for a researcher to take the time to assess whether the data collecting instrument is valid and can be relied upon to give actual facts without exaggeration. Notably, research findings are mostly utilized in a clinical environment to make to make informed decisions about a particular case (Leung, 2015). Therefore, a researcher or a nurse will want to know the reliability and validity of a data collecting instrument to judge whether the research findings are non-bias, credible, truthful, authentic, real, dependable and factual or reflect actual circumstances on the ground.
Common instruments which are used to collect data in a qualitative study include interviews, review of documents, focus groups, and observations. Thus, it is important that these tools have the capacity to protect data from any manipulation. For instance, interviews ought to be free of any coercion and nothing should be added or subtracted from what the corresponded said. Additionally, the information from the correspondent should be on a voluntary basis. It is essential to know whether the data collecting instrument observe ethical and legal measures in regards to research. As such, the correspondent of a particular study should have the freedom to express their views freely so as to give actual facts. On the other hand, errors are major elements which can jeopardize the quality of a research. Thus, the collecting tools have to be free of mistakes. It is significant that information recorded is accurate by representing actual results and facts given by the respondent or review documents (Elo et al., 2013). Therefore, scrutiny of data collecting tool is critical is to know the trustworthiness of a particular qualitative research.
Reference
Elo, S., Kääriäinen, M., Kanste, O., Pölkki, T., Utriainen, K., & Kyngäs, H. (2014). Qualitative content analysis. Sage Open, 4(1), 2158244014522633.
Leung, L. (2015). Validity, reliability, and generalizability in qualitative research.Journal of family medicine and primary care, 4(3), 324.
