Researchers strive not to publish questionable study results. To avoid presenting unreliable findings, they must acknowledge the limitations of their studies. However, some researchers never adequately identify these limitations.
Internal validity in the qualitative research context describes the degree to which the qualitative data collected in a study supports the results of the study without the influence of other factors.
Without recognizing the limitations, the findings of a study may need to be interpreted with caution. The following pitfalls should be avoided because they threaten internal validity in qualitative research:
1. Researcher Bias
A researcher can hold preconceived beliefs, values, or assumptions. All these can influence data collection, analysis, or interpretation.
How researcher bias lowers internal validity in a qualitative study:
- Confirmation bias – the researcher can seek out and interpret data primarily to confirm pre-existing beliefs.
- Expectancy bias – the researcher can unconsciously influence responses provided by participants.
- Personal value – the researcher could collect and analyze qualitative data in a way that aligns with their values and beliefs.
2. Participant Reactivity
Participant reactivity is also known as the Hawthorne Effect. Participant reactivity means participants alter their behavior because they know they are being studied.
How does the Participant Reactivity impact internal validity in research?
Participant reactivity lowers internal validity as it encourages participants to provide socially desirable responses rather than truthful ones during interviews.
3. Interpretive Drift
The degree to which the qualitative data collected in a study supports the results can be diminished by interpretive drift. A phenomenon where the researcher’s understanding of the data evolves over time is known as interpretive drift.
How does interpretive drift lower internal validity?
Interpretive drift can cause inconsistencies in analysis. For instance, early interpretations shape subsequent coding, resulting in neglect of contradictory data or emergent themes.
There are numerous aspects of interpretive drift.
- Over-interpretation can lead to the researcher drawing speculative conclusions from limited data.
- Lack of rigor due to inconsistent or insufficiently documented coding and analysis procedures can lead to interpretive drift and low internal validity.
Without detailed documentation of coding rules, decisions, and changes, it becomes impossible to understand how conclusions were reached. This hinders reproducibility and scrutiny. Further, an inadequate description of the research process is known as the “black box” of qualitative research. It can lower the internal validity and prevent other researchers from replicating it.
4. Theoretical Limitations
Theories provide a lens through which researchers view the phenomenon they are studying. Sometimes, a researcher may fail to select an appropriate theory or guiding framework to form the foundation for the study.
How does theoretical limitation lower internal validity?
A qualitative study based on a theoretical framework may not adequately capture the complexity of the phenomenon under study. At the same time, failure by the researcher to provide an unambiguous definition of key concepts can cause confusion and misinterpretation.
5. Selection Bias
Although qualitative studies do not require large sample sizes, selecting a sample that is not representative of the population being studied can skew findings. This is also known as sampling bias.
How is selection bias a threat to internal validity?
A research recruiting participants who are more accessible or willing to participate can exclude individuals who would provide alternative perspectives on the qualitative topic. Overlooking divergent views lowers internal validity in qualitative research as critical perspectives that could change outcomes are left out.
6. Contextual Influences
Several contextual factors can undermine the internal validity of a qualitative study. These factors can range from current events to organizational changes and interpersonal dynamics at the research site.
How do contextual influences lower internal validity?
Unexpected events such as moving to a new location can impact participant responses. Also, natural changes in participants such as increased level of education or acquisition of a new skill can be misinterpreted as study effects.
7. Gatekeeper Influence
In many formal workplaces, key individuals who control access to participants or sites shape the scope and content of the research. These individuals are known as gatekeepers.
For instance, IT or data security teams regulate access to electronic health records and other data sources. They enforce strict protocols to ensure data security and privacy. Thus, their policies may limit the types of data researchers can access, influencing the depth of the qualitative study’s findings.
How does Gatekeeper Influence lower internal validity?
A gatekeeper can selectively introduce the researcher to participants who align with a specific narrative or agenda.
Apart from selective access, gatekeepers can influence participant behavior. For instance, if a pastor thinks some members of their congregation are more spiritually stronger than others, the pastor’s selection of some participants could influence how they behave.
8. Over-Rapport with Participants
The researcher can become overly close to participants. The consequence of this over-rapport can be compromised objectivity.
How over-rapport threatens internal validity:
Over-rapport can lead to the researcher avoiding difficult questions or critical analysis to preserve a positive relationship with participants. Insufficient data due to some unanswered questions in a qualitative study can lower internal validity.
9. Recall Bias
Another obvious threat to internal validity is recall bias. Recall bias is participants’ recollections of past events but in an incomplete, inaccurate, or distorted manner.
How does recall bias lower internal validity?
A qualitative research question could involve collecting data that requires participants to describe experiences from many years ago. Participants may remember selectively or inaccurately, knowingly or unintentionally.
10. Power Dynamics
Depending on the context of the study, power dynamics can lower internal validity. Imbalances in power between the researcher and participants affect the authenticity of responses. An extremely powerful figure and popular celebrity conducting the qualitative data collection may experience this challenge.
Impact of Power Dynamics on the internal validity of a qualitative study
Participants may provide responses they believe the researcher wants to hear due to perceived authority or fear of judgment.
11. Translation or Interpretation Errors
Qualitative research, particularly ethnography may be conducted in a different cultural setting where another language is spoken. Misinterpretation of participant language, culture, or symbolism can lead to inaccurate conclusions.
How do translation errors lower internal validity in a qualitative study?
Misunderstanding cultural idioms or non-verbal cues during interviews conducted in cross-cultural contexts impacts the accuracy of outcomes.
Related Article: Strategies to Address Threats to Internal Validity in a Qualitative Study
