Validity in Qualitative Research: A Processual Approach

Authors

Paulo Hayashi Jr, University of CampinasFollow
Gustavo Abib, Federal University of ParanaFollow
Norberto Hoppen, UNISINOSFollow

Abstract

Validity and reliability of research and its results are important elements to provide evidence of the quality of research in the organizational field. However, validity is better evidenced in quantitative studies than in qualitative research studies. As there is diversity within qualitative research methods and techniques, there is no universally accepted criteria to assess validity in qualitative studies; its usefulness is also questioned. Therefore, in this paper, we argue that qualitative research should adopt a processual view approach of validity since it should not be the product of a single test or just one step in the research. Processual validity both supports good research and helps in its reflection and guidance. To illustrate our approach, we present the processual approach adopted by one of the coauthors during the development of a research project. We highlight the validity assurance activities for both ex ante and ex post research, peer review and participation in an international conference, which corroborated the quality of the processual approach and the results that were obtained.

Keywords

Qualitative Research, Theory Building, Validity, Reliability, Processual Approach

Author Bio(s)

Paulo Hayashi Jr is an Assistant Professor at University of Campinas (UNICAMP). He received his PhD from the Business School of Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Brazil. His research interests include organizational behavior, qualitative research, and organizational strategy within creative industries. Correspondence regarding this article can be addressed directly to: paulo.hayashi@fca.unicamp.br.

Gustavo Abib is an Associate Professor at Paraná Federal University (UFPR). He received his PhD from the Business School of Federal Univesity of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Brazil. His research interests include risk, international business, qualitative research and organizational strategy. Correspondence regarding this article can also be addressed directly to: gustavo.abib@gmail.com.

Norberto Hoppen is Full Professor at Unisinos Business School, Vale do Rio dos Sinos University, Brazil. He received his PhD from the Institut d’Administration des Entreprises (IAE), Pierre Mendès-France University, France. His research interests include Information Systems, Social Studies of Technology and qualitative research. Correspondence regarding this article can also be addressed directly to: norbertohoppen@gmail.com.

Publication Date

1-14-2019

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.

DOI

10.46743/2160-3715/2019.3443

Recommended APA Citation

Hayashi, P., Abib, G., & Hoppen, N. (2019). Validity in Qualitative Research: A Processual Approach. The Qualitative Report, 24(1), 98-112. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2019.3443