Establishing rigour in qualitative radiography research

Murphy, FJ; Yielder, J

Abstract

The vast majority of radiography research is subject to critique and evaluation from
peers in order to justify the method and the outcome of the study. Within the quantitative
domain, which the majority of medical imaging publications tend to fall into, there are
prescribed methods for establishing scientific rigour and quality in order to critique a study.
However, researchers within the qualitative paradigm, which is a developing area of radiography
research, are often unclear about the most appropriate methods to measure the rigour
(standards and quality) of a research study. This article considers the issues related to rigour,
reliability and validity within qualitative research. The concepts of reliability and validity are
briefly discussed within traditional positivism and then the attempts to use these terms as
a measure of quality within qualitative research are explored.
Alternative methods for research rigour in interpretive research (meanings and emotions)
are suggested in order to compliment the existing radiography framework that exists for
qualitative studies. The authors propose the use of an established model that is adapted to
reflect the iterative process of qualitative research. Although a mechanistic approach to establishing
rigour is rejected by many qualitative researchers, it is argued that a guide for novice
researchers within a developing research base such as radiography is appropriate in order to
establish the credibility and trustworthiness of a qualitative study.

Citation

Murphy, F., & Yielder, J. (2010). Establishing rigour in qualitative radiography research. Radiography, 16, 62-67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radi.2009.07.003

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2010
• Deposit Date: Dec 20, 2010
• Journal: Radiography
• Print ISSN: 1078-8174
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 16
• Pages: 62-67
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radi.2009.07.003
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.radi.2009.07.003