Validity, Reliability, and Appraisal in Qualitative Research Design

This essay explores the critical role of validity and reliability in nursing research, emphasizing how these factors influence the credibility and value of research evidence. It defines validity as the extent to which a research instrument measures the intended outcome and reliability as the consistency and stability of the instrument's measures, including inter-rater reliability. The essay also discusses the appraisal of qualitative and quantitative research designs, highlighting the importance of evaluating the research question, methodological approach, sample size, sampling method, and overall rigor of the study. It concludes that a rigorous appraisal process is essential for ensuring the credibility, transferability, and internal validity of research findings.

Running head: RESEARCH IN NURSING
Research in nursing
Name of the student:
Name of the University:
Author’s note:

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1. Impact of validity and reliability of an instrument on the credibility of the study:
While conducting research study, evaluating the validity and reliability of the research
instrument is important to ensure that the data obtained is trustworthy and relevant to the
research question. Validity of research instrument is defined by the extent to which the results
obtained from the instrument can measure the intended outcome of research. The report on
validity of the instrument gives the indications that best parameters have been taken to evaluate a
research problem. This directly influences the credibility of the research work. Reporting about
validity of a research instrument ensure that researcher has evaluated the performance of
instrument in measuring the intended outcome (Heale & Twycross, 2015). Hence, validity of
research tool directly enhances credibility and quality of the research work.
Reliability of a research instrument is an indication of stability of measures, internal
consistency of research instrument and inter-rater reliability of instrument score. Interrater
reliability shows that same score is obtained even when multiple or different researchers have
used the research instrument. This ensures that the scores or results from the instrument is not
influenced by internal factors like individual judgment of researcher. It ensures that the tool is
consistent and stable and more likely to provide accurate outcomes (Merriam & Grenier, 2019).
Hence, research tool with high reliability increased the transferability and credibility of the
research work.
2. Appraisal in qualitative and quantitative research design:
While engaging in critical appraisal of qualitative and quantitative research design,
appraising the following characteristics is important:

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1. Formulation of research question: Appraisal of this area ensures that research question
is appropriate and relevant with the research problem or not. Appropriate research
question guides researcher in choosing quantitative or qualitative study
2. Selection of appropriate methodological approach: Appraisal of the method used to
complete research is important to get idea about theoretical underpinnings and validity of
the research method in relation to the research question.
3. Appropriate sample size: Review of sample size is important to ensure that the sample
is representative of the research population. Appraisal of this area also helps to predict
the transferability of the research work (Moule, Aveyard & Goodman, 2016).
4. Appropriate of sampling/recruitment method: Appraisal of sampling method is
important to identify risk of biases and factors affecting the internal validity of research.
5. Rigor of study: Determining rigor of study is important to ensure credibility and
transferability of research. It shows that researcher has considered all criteria that would
affect the reliability and validity of the research study (Leung, 2015).

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References:
Heale, R., & Twycross, A. (2015). Validity and reliability in quantitative studies. Evidence-
based nursing, ebnurs-2015.
Leung, L. (2015). Validity, reliability, and generalizability in qualitative research. Journal of
family medicine and primary care, 4(3), 324.
Merriam, S. B., & Grenier, R. S. (Eds.). (2019). Qualitative research in practice: Examples for
discussion and analysis. Jossey-Bass.
Moule, P., Aveyard, H., & Goodman, M. (2016). Nursing research: An introduction. Sage.