Reliability and Validity in Qualitative Research Revisited and the Role of AI

Authors

Prokopis A. Christou, Cyprus University of TechnologyFollow

Abstract

The evolving nature of research and the integration of new technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), introduce new challenges and threats, necessitating a re-examination of the key criteria of reliability and validity. In this paper, I revisit these concepts in the context of qualitative research, highlighting their evolving meanings and significance. I begin by defining reliability and validity and explaining their importance. Following this, I discuss strategies for establishing these criteria within qualitative studies and offer guidelines for maintaining rigor in the current research landscape. While emphasizing the need for human oversight, intervention, and interpretation, I underscore how to ensure trustworthiness in qualitative research outcomes amidst technological advancements.

Keywords

reliability, validity, technology, artificial intelligence, AI

Author Bio(s)

Prokopis A. Christou is an Assistant Professor at Cyprus University of Technology, specializing in qualitative inquiry and the implications of AI in research and social fields. He has published books and numerous articles in prestigious academic journals, including conceptual papers, critical perspective articles, systematic reviews, and empirical studies, such as ethnographic and phenomenological research. His interest in AI arises from its growing utility across various fields, coupled with concerns about potential risks, including the diminishing human element, reduced investment in critical and evaluative thinking, and ethical and academic integrity challenges. Consequently, he has explored the applications, potentials, dynamics, limitations, and implications of AI in research. Please direct correspondence to prokopis.christou@cut.ac.cy

Acknowledgements

While acknowledging the role of AI in research (as noted in Christou, 2023b), I declare that I have consulted programs and tools that utilize AI technology, such as NVivo and MAXQDA, to gain a deeper understanding of AI's application in research, and I used a natural language processing tool (ChatGPT) for minor editing purposes.

Publication Date

3-26-2025

Creative Commons License

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

DOI

10.46743/2160-3715/2025.7523

Recommended APA Citation

Christou, P. A. (2025). Reliability and validity in qualitative research revisited and the role of AI. The Qualitative Report, 30(3), 3306-3314. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2025.7523

ORCID ID

https://orcid.org/my-orcid?orcid=0000-0001-6628-2619