Table 1.

Proposed framework to guide appraisal of qualitative research

Key Constructs (6)	Definition	Strategies to Satisfy Criteria	Description
Credibility	Extent to which the research offers well-founded, reliable, and sensible explanations on the basis of evidence obtained	Appropriate question guide	Relevant to research topic and phrased to encourage open in-depth discussion
		Data triangulation	Multiple sources of information and methods to produce a more comprehensive set of findings
		Researcher triangulation	Multiple investigators from different disciplines with required knowledge and research skills to conduct the research
		Purposive sampling	Recruit participants who can provide diverse and comprehensive information relevant to the research question
		Theoretical saturation	Recruitment ceases when few or no new themes emerge from data already collected
		Thick description of data	Study context and findings discussed in detail
Dependability	Research conducted in a logical manner that can be audited	Recording data	Audio or video recording to capture all data. Field notes capture contextual details and nonverbal communication
		Verbatim transcription	Verbal data transcribed verbatim
		Computer software	Used to assist with storage, coding, and retrieval of data
Transferability	Fit within contexts outside the study situation	Detailed description of research context	Detailed description of study setting and participant characteristics
		Theoretical context	Findings are positioned within current theoretical or conceptual frameworks
		Comparison with other studies	Findings are within the context of other research conducted in different health care settings
Confirmability	Extent to which biases, motivations, interests, or perspectives of the inquirer influence interpretations	Researcher triangulation	Multiple investigators involved in data analysis, ensuring the coding and analytic framework captures all primary data
		Member checking	Participants provide feedback on preliminary findings that is incorporated into analysis
		Inclusion of raw data	Selected quotations or other raw data inserted to illustrate findings or themes provided
		Researcher reflexivity	Researchers’ recognition of their own biases that may have influenced decisions made during the study