Quality control in qualitative research

Abstract

By enhancing the application of qualitative research approach the need for the development of formal standards for appraisal of qualitative studies has strengthened, which has improved their credibility. After a review of the most significant methodological standpoints on the possibilities for establishing quality control of qualitative studies, in this paper, we summarize the principles of good practice in several areas: quality control of research design, conceptualization of research questions and creation of theoretical research framework, quality control of data collection, sample adequacy, quality control of data analysis, as well as with research reports. All the research levels, applied procedures and specific research proceedings are capable of quality appraisal. A precondition of valid appraisal is the sufficient documentation of an applied research procedure, that the researcher should offer in an adequate format of report. Every stage of research must be open for public appraisal, and the methodological apparatus used should be described clearly, precisely and in enough detail.

Snaženjem primene kvalitativnog istraživačkog pristupa pojačava se potreba za razvijanjem formalnih standarda procene kvalitativnih istraživanja, čime se unapređuje njihova verodostojnost. Nakon pregleda najznačajnijih metodoloških stanovišta o mogućnostima uspostavljanja kontrole kvaliteta kvalitativnih istraživanja, u radu se sumiraju principi dobre prakse u nekoliko oblasti: kontroli kvaliteta nacrta istraživanja, konceptualizaciji istraživačkog pitanja i stvaranje teorijskog okvira istraživanja, kontroli kvaliteta prikupljanja podataka, adekvatnosti uzorka, kontroli kvaliteta analize podataka, kao i izveštaj o istraživanju. Proceni kvaliteta podležu sve istraživačke faze, primenjene procedure i posebni istraživački postupci. Preduslov validne procene jeste dovoljna dokumentovanost primenjene istraživačke procedure, koju će istraživač ponuditi u adekvatnom formatu izveštaja. Sve faze istraživanja moraju biti otvorene za javnu procenu, a metodološka procedura opisana jasno i sa dovoljno detalja.