Abstract
The veracity of qualitative research is typically measured according to well-established principles of trustworthiness. Adhering to these principles demonstrates that findings are the result of a rigorous methodology and that findings accurately describe the experiences of participants. Member checking is one strategy often utilized to ensure the credibility of the findings, while also generating a valuable opportunity for research participants to actively participate in the analytic process. However, there is limited guidance as to how to conduct member checks that are culturally and contextually relevant to all research participants, particularly if data has been collected in multiple languages with diverse participants. In these instances, researchers must remain vigilant to avoid excluding the voices of participants or designing member checks that might not be culturally and contextually responsive. This article describes a technique — utilizing “I-poems” — as an innovative way to conduct the member checking process with a diverse group of survivors of intimate partner violence who participated in a longitudinal evaluation of the services they received. This inclusive and innovative member checking process was found to be a culturally relevant way to maximize participation, minimize power imbalances, and invite research participants to become active partners in the analytic process.
Highlights
The veracity of qualitative research is typically measured according to wellestablished principles of trustworthiness
We describe a way of including participatory principles within the analytic phase of a longitudinal mixed-methods evaluation with diverse survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) and present a member checking process that attended to participants’ contextual needs
We selected a creative, engaging, and inclusive member checking technique to present data collected in two languages to survivors of intimate partner violence who participated in a longitudinal evaluation of the services they received
Summary
Member checking is the process sharing interview data and/or preliminary findings with research participants to verify the trustworthiness of the data (Doyle, 2007). Lincoln & Guba (1985) described member checking as a crucial process to establish credibility in qualitative research, given its focus on verifying the accuracy of descriptions of participants’ accounts and narratives. Member checking can be an individual process or can take place with multiple participants in a focus group setting (Doyle, 2007) It can differ in level of formality and number of sessions conducted (Lincoln & Guba, 1985). It is common for qualitative researchers to mention their use of member checks as evidence of the credibility of their findings without describing the details of the member checking activities or their rationale for selecting such activities (Birt et al, 2016; Simpson & Quigley, 2016). Such absence of detail may be an indication of ineffective member checking strategies when engaging with research participants
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