Elder and Miller's (199) criteria for rigorous qualitative research include:

• What is the research question?  Is it practical and important?  The question should be clearly stated.

• What type of study design is best for addressing a particular research question? 

• What are the specifics of the study design?

• Who are the participants and how are they chosen?

• How are the data collected?

• How are the data analyzed?

• Sampling approach should be adequately defined and appropriate for addressing research question.

• The data collection method should be described in detail and a rationale for method choices provided (audit trail).

• The data analysis process should be described in detail and include specifically steps to examine negative or deviant cases and describe how these cases inform the analysis.

• Is the study trustworthy - is the study interpretation valid relative to its intent?

• Is the study believable - does the story of the report make sense?  Evaluating this feature has a great deal to do with the rhetorical quality of a report.

• Does the study make a contribution? 

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Reference

Elder, NC. & Miller, WL. (1995). "Reading and evaluating qualitative research studies."  The Journal of Family Practice. 41(3), pp. 279-285.

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