2016/06/23 by Linda Birt, Suzanne Scott, Suzanne E. Scott +4 · 14 citations
Social Sciences · #Focus Groups and Qualitative Methods #Participatory Visual Research Methods #Qualitative Research Methods and Ethics
paper · doi:10.1177/1049732316654870
openalex publication_date 2016/06/23 · openalex created_date 2016/07/22 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/31
The trustworthiness of results is the bedrock of high quality qualitative research. Member checking, also known as participant or respondent validation, is a technique for exploring the credibility of results. Data or results are returned to participants to check for accuracy and resonance with their experiences. Member checking is often mentioned as one in a list of validation techniques. This simplistic reporting might not acknowledge the value of using the method, nor its juxtaposition with the interpretative stance of qualitative research. In this commentary, we critique how member checking has been used in published research, before describing and evaluating an innovative in-depth member checking technique, Synthesized Member Checking. The method was used in a study with patients diagnosed with melanoma. Synthesized Member Checking addresses the co-constructed nature of knowledge by providing participants with the opportunity to engage with, and add to, interview and interpreted data, several months after their semi-structured interview.