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Validity and Qualitative Research: An Oxymoron?

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Abstract

Although the importance of validity has long been accepted among quantitative researchers, this concept has been an issue of contention among qualitative researchers. Thus, the first purpose of the present paper is to introduce the Qualitative Legitimation Model, which attempts to integrate many of the types of validity identified by qualitative researchers. The second purpose of this article is to describe 24 methods for assessing the truth value of qualitative research. Utilizing and documenting such techniques should prevent validity and qualitative research from being seen as an oxymoron.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Educational Measurement and Research, College of Education, University of South Florida, 4204 East Fowler Street, EDU 162, Tampa, FL, 33620-7750, USA

    Anthony J. Onwuegbuzie

  2. Division of Educational Psychology, School of Education and Human Development, University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center, Denver, CO, USA

    Nancy L. Leech

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  1. Anthony J. Onwuegbuzie
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  2. Nancy L. Leech
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Correspondence to Anthony J. Onwuegbuzie.

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Onwuegbuzie, A.J., Leech, N.L. Validity and Qualitative Research: An Oxymoron?. Qual Quant 41, 233–249 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11135-006-9000-3

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