Methods and meanings: credibility and trustworthiness of qualitative research.

Historically, qualitative research has been viewed as “soft” science and criticized for lacking scientific rigor compared to quantitative research, which uses experimental, objective methods (Mays & Pope, 1995). Common criticisms are that qualitative research is subjective, anecdotal, subject to researcher bias, and lacking generalizability by producing large quantities of detailed information about a single, unique phenomenon or setting (Koch & Harrington, 1998). However, qualitative research is not inferior research, but a different approach in studying humans. Qualitative research emphasizes exploring individual experiences, describing phenomenon, and developing theory (Vishnevsky & Beanlands, 2004). A major challenge for researchers is striving for the highest possible quality when conducting and reporting research. As evidence-based professionals, nurses must be able to assess strengths, limitations, and quality or scientific merit of a study when reviewing the literature. Because quantitative and qualitative research differ in methodologic approach, different criteria exist in regard to critiquing each. The perspectives of quantitative research are rigor and validity, and the perspectives of qualitative research are credibility and trustworthiness. This article will present criteria for evaluating quality in qualitative research as proposed by Lincoln and Guba (1985) and Whittemore, Chase, and Mandle (2001); strategies to enhance credibility; and examples used by Pedersen, Hack, McClement, and Taylor-Brown (2013), who explored the patient navigation role from the perspective of young women with breast cancer. The most common criteria used to evaluate qualitative research are those purported by Lincoln and Guba (1985). To develop trustworthiness in qualitative research, Lincoln and Guba (1985) initially presented four criteria: credibility, dependability, confirmability, and transferability. In 1994, Guba and Lincoln added a fifth criterion, authenticity.