rigor and validity in quantitative research

Quantitative research allows the researcher to familiarize him/herself with the problem or concept to be studied, and perhaps generate hypotheses to be tested. Research, then as it comes to be known publicly, is a synonym for quantitative research. we know that this is part of the process of doing research. even if we do not always know just what all of the terms mean.

To illustrate the meaning of quantitative research for its use of explaining social problems, Bogdan and Biklen (1998) note: Charts and graphs illustrate the results of the research, and commentators employ words such as 'variables', 'populations' and 'result' as part of their daily vocabulary. Researchers who use logical positivism or quantitative research employ experimental methods and quantitative measures to test hypothetical generalizations (Hoepfl, 1997), and they also emphasize the measurement and analysis of causal relationships between variables (Denzin and Lincoln, 1998). This paper concludes by drawing upon the use of triangulation in the two paradigms (quantitative and qualitative) to show how the changes have influenced our understanding of reliability, validity and triangulation in qualitative studies. Secondly, reliability and validity as used in quantitative research are discussed as a way of providing a springboard to examining what these two terms mean and how they can be tested in the qualitative research paradigm. First, the meanings of quantitative and qualitative research are discussed. This article discusses the use of reliability and validity in the qualitative research paradigm. Key words: Reliability, Validity, Triangulation, Construct, Qualitative, and Quantitative Therefore, reliability, validity and triangulation, if they are relevant research concepts, particularly from a qualitative point of view, have to be redefined in order to reflect the multiple ways of establishing truth.

Like reliability and validity as used in quantitative research are providing springboard to examine what these two terms mean in the qualitative research paradigm, triangulation as used in quantitative research to test the reliability and validity can also illuminate some ways to test or maximize the validity and reliability of a qualitative study. Since reliability and validity are rooted in positivist perspective then they should be redefined for their use in a naturalistic approach. The use of reliability and validity are common in quantitative research and now it is reconsidered in the qualitative research paradigm.

Rigor and validity in quantitative research