Yardley's Evaluative Criteria

  • Sensitivity to context - is the analysis and interpretation sensitive to the data, the social context, and the relationships (between researcher and participants) from which it emerged? 
    • Does the researcher consider how he or she may have specifically influenced participants' actions (reflexivity)? 
    • Does the researcher consider the balance of power in a situation?
  • Completeness of data collection, analysis and interpretation
    • Is the size and nature (comprehensiveness) of the sample adequate to address the research question?
    • Is there transparency and sufficient detail in the author's account of methods used and analytical and interpretive choices (audit trail)? Is every aspect of the data collection process, and the approach to coding and analyzing data discussed? Does the author present excerpts from the data so that readers can discern for themselves the patterns identified?
    • Is there coherence across the research question, philosophical perspective, method, and analysis approach?
  • Reflexivity - does the researcher reflect on his or her own perspective and the motivations and interests that shaped the research process (from formulation of the research question, through method choices, analysis and interpretation).
  • Is the research important - will it have practical and theoretical utility?


Reference

Yardley, L. (2000). "Dilemmas in qualitative health research." Psychology and Health. 15. pp. 215-228.

Click here to return to Evaluative Criteria page