In this session, three key aspects of undertaking qualitative research are described; these are: trustworthiness, sampling and ethics.

In terms of trustworthiness, the potential threats to validity and reliability are discussed and different ways of ensuring good rigour throughout the qualitative research process are presented.

Understanding how to develop a sampling framework for qualitative research is important. This session gives a description of the different approaches to sampling and the advantages and disadvantages of these approaches.

Undertaking health research, particularly in the Global South, requires careful consideration and reflection potential ethical considerations. This session provides some consideration of the major ethical issues that are likely to arise.

By the end of this session users should be able to:

  • Distinguish between the threats to validity and reliability in qualitative and participatory research
  • Mention and justify at least three activities which enhance the trustworthiness of qualitative research
  • Describe the main approaches to sampling in qualitative research and identify their advantages and disadvantages
  • Describe major ethical issues and procedures in qualitative research


You can download the powerpoint hereand some key definitions here. 

Recommended reading:

Boga, Mwanamvua et al. “Strengthening the Informed Consent Process in International Health Research through Community Engagement: The KEMRI- Wellcome Trust Research Programme Experience.” PLoS Medicine 8.9 (2011): e1001089. PMC. Web. 14 Jan. 2015

Kamuya, D.M., et al., "When they see us, it's like they have seen the benefits!": experiences of study benefits negotiations in community-based studies on the Kenyan Coast. BMC Med Ethics, 2014. 15(1)

Kuper, A. Lingard, L. & Levinson, W. (2008) Critically appraising qualitative research BMJ 2008 (337): 687-689

Mays, N. and Pope, C. (2000) ‘Assessing quality in qualitative research’, BritishMedical Journal; 320:50-52

Smith,H. Chen,J. & Liu, X. (2008) Language and rigour in qualitative research: Problems and principles in analyzing data collected in Mandarin
BMC Medical Research Methodology 2008,8:44doi:10.1186/1471-2288-8-{4