West Visayas State University

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES-GRADUATE SCHOOL

Iloilo City, Philippines

Synthesis and Reaction Paper in

FND 601- ADVANCED RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Daniel Emmanuel V. Salmorin Ph.D.-Social
Science

Summary

According to Hansen (1979), Reliability in ethnographic research is

dependent on the resolution of both external and internal design problems.
In addition, he converses about the tenets of External and Internal reliability.
External reliability conveys the matter of whether independent researchers
would find the same occurrence or event or create the same constructs in
the same or similar settings. On the other hand, Internal reliability mentions
to the level to which other researchers, given a set of previously generated
constructs, would complement them with data in the same way as did the
original researcher.
Moreover, while reliability is concerned with the replicability of
scientific findings, validity is concerned with the accuracy of scientific
findings. Establishing validity needs determining the extent to which
conclusions effectively represent empirical reality and assessing whether
constructs come up with by researchers represent or measure the
classification of human experience that happen. (Hansen, 1979; Pelto &
Pelto, 1978).
Internal validity refers to the scope to which scientific observations and
measurements are authentic representations of some reality while External
validity addresses the degree to which such representations may be
compared legitimately across groups.
Patton (1990), examines ways of building up the quality and credibility
of qualitative analysis by dealing with three clear but related inquiry
concerns: rigorous techniques and methods for gathering and analyzing
qualitative data, including attention to validity, reliability, and triangulation;
the credibility, competence, and perceived trustworthiness of the qualitative
researcher.
The credibility issue for qualitative inquiry depends on three distinct
but related inquiry elements:
* rigorous techniques and methods for gathering high-quality data that
are carefully analyzed, with attention to issues of validity, reliability, and
triangulation;
* the credibility of the researcher, which is relying on training,
experience, track record, status, and presentation of self; and
* philosophical belief in the value of qualitative inquiry.
Many rigorous techniques exist for enhancing the quality and validity
of qualitative data are the following:
*Triangulation- a combination of interview, observation, and document
analysis.
*Testing rival explanations
*Keep data in context
*Negative cases
Lincoln and Guba (1985), describe a series of techniques that can be
used to conduct qualitative research that achieves the criteria they outline.
Credibility - confidence in the 'truth' of the findings.
Transferability - showing that the findings have applicability in other
contexts.
Dependability - showing that the findings are consistent and could be
repeated.
 Confirmability - a level of neutrality or the extent to which the findings
of a study are shaped by the respondents and not researcher bias,
motivation, or interest.
In addition they also give emphasis on the following techniques:
Techniques for establishing credibility
*Prolonged Engagement
*Persistent Observation
*Triangulation
*Peer debriefing
*Negative case analysis
*Referential adequacy
*Member-checking
Techniques for establishing transferability
*Thick description
*Techniques for establishing dependability
*Inquiry audit
Techniques for establishing confirmability
*Confirmability audit
*audit trail
*triangulation
*Reflexivity

Reaction

As Patton (1990), examines ways of building up the quality and

credibility of qualitative analysis through rigorous techniques and methods
for gathering and analyzing qualitative data, including attention to validity,
reliability, and triangulation, the credibility, competence, and perceived
trustworthiness of the qualitative researcher.
I commend the efforts of Patton by doing this, because it leads to
create judgements about the ‘soundness’ of the research in relation to the
application and appropriateness of the methods undertaken and the integrity
of the final conclusions. If the study cannot consistently produce valid
results, then poor justification of the methods adopted, lack of transparency
in the analytical procedures and the findings being merely a collection of
personal opinions subject to researcher bias. Therefore, it will cause that
Qualitative research is frequently criticized.
To continue the culture of excellence in the academe and society at
large, I am impressed by the researchers strive for to design and incorporate
strategies to ensure the ‘trustworthiness’ of the findings. By the readings of
Lincoln and Guba (1985), it helps me to be flexible in research by utilizing
strategies like accounting for personal biases which may have influenced
findings especially in Oral Qualitative-Historical research. In Ethnographic
and Phenomenological Research, acknowledging biases in sampling (by
using of purposive sampling through site selection) and continuing critical
reflection of methods to ensure enough depth and importance of data
collection and analysis. Moreover, diligently record keeping, demonstrating a
clear decision and make sure interpretations of data are consistent and
transparent like the cultural study of Tindowen et. al, (2015) entitled Rice
Farming Method’s Tools, and Indigenous Practices and Beliefs of Itawes
Farmers of Tuguegarao City wherein under interview, in order for the
participants to understand the question clearly and have a good flow of
conversation, they used local language such as Itawes and Tagalog since
most of the participants are using these language. Next is Respondent
validation which includes inviting participants, key-informants and external
auditor to comment on the interview transcript and whether the final themes
and concepts created adequately reflect the phenomena being investigated.
Lastly, the Data triangulation that test the consistency of findings by having
different instruments and assess the multiple causes influencing the results.

As my over-all reaction, I am firmly believe it is vitally important that

all qualitative researchers embody strategies to improve the credibility of a
certain study during research design and implementation. In spite of the fact
that there is no universally accepted words and criteria used to evaluate
qualitative research, they have shortly outlined some of the strategies that
can improve the credibility of study findings.