TABLE 2.

Demonstrating trustworthiness in qualitative data collection and analysis

Trustworthiness criteria	Fulfilment of criteria
Reflexivity	The first author maintained a field journal noting her interactions with staff and patients in the Emergency Department, observations about the Emergency Department environment, and important considerations, biases and assumptions that arose during participant recruitment, data collection and analysis (which were discussed in team meetings).
Credibility	All members of the research team were involved in the analysis process to establish consistency in the interpretation of the data. a
Transferability	By using a maximum variation sampling frame and recruiting participants at random times in the Emergency Department, the experiences from a broad spectrum of patients were captured. b
Dependability	The use of contact summaries, maintaining a strong audit trail and holding regular team meetings throughout the data collection and analysis periods

^a Miles MB, Huberman AM. Qualitative data analysis: An expanded source book. 2nd ed. California: Thousand Oaks; 1994.

^b Sandelowski M. The problem of rigor in qualitative research. ANS Adv Nurs Sci. 1986;8(3):27‐37.