ERIC Number: EJ800131
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2007-Jul
Pages: 6
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1556-8180
EISSN: N/A
The Holy Trinity of Methodological Rigor: A Skeptical View
Coryn, Chris L. S.
Journal of MultiDisciplinary Evaluation, v4 n7 p26-31 Jul 2007
The author discusses validation hierarchies grounded in the tradition of quantitative research that generally consists of the criteria of validity, reliability and objectivity and compares this with similar criteria developed by the qualitative tradition, described as trustworthiness, dependability and confirmability. Although these quantitative and qualitative trinities represent aspects of good research, writes Coryn, they are not, in and of themselves, sufficient to judge the merits of an instance of research, and, more definitively, not its worth or significance. The correct standard for such conclusions, in science or outside it, according to the writer, is that they can be demonstrated or established beyond reasonable doubt. (Contains 16 footnotes.)
Descriptors: Research Methodology, Statistical Analysis, Value Judgment, Qualitative Research, Evaluation Methods, Statistical Surveys, Program Validation, Evaluation Criteria, Evaluation Research
Evaluation Center, Western Michigan University. 1903 West Michigan Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5237. Tel: 269-387-5895; Fax: 269-387-5923; e-mail: eval-center@wmich.edu; Web site: http://jmde.com
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A