Distinguish between credibility and transferability as trustworthiness criteria in qualitative research.

Distinguish between credibility and transferability as trustworthiness criteria in qualitative research.

• A. Credibility concerns applicability to other contexts.
• B. Credibility concerns accurate portrayal of participants' experiences; transferability concerns applicability to other contexts.
• C. Transferability concerns statistical significance.
• D. Transferability is the experimental replication across settings.

Answer: (B)

In qualitative research, trustworthiness rests on credibility and transferability. Credibility is about how accurately the study portrays participants’ experiences and perspectives—whether the findings genuinely reflect what participants told the researchers. Techniques like member checks, triangulation, thick description, prolonged engagement, and peer scrutiny help build this sense of truthfulness by confirming the researchers’ interpretations with participants and by showing the data from multiple angles. Transferability shifts the focus to whether the findings can be applicable in other contexts. It isn’t about broad generalizations in the statistical sense; instead, it relies on providing rich, detailed descriptions of the setting, participants, and processes so readers can determine whether the insights fit their own situations. The correct statement captures that credibility concerns accurate portrayal, while transferability concerns applicability to other contexts.

In qualitative research, trustworthiness rests on credibility and transferability. Credibility is about how accurately the study portrays participants’ experiences and perspectives—whether the findings genuinely reflect what participants told the researchers. Techniques like member checks, triangulation, thick description, prolonged engagement, and peer scrutiny help build this sense of truthfulness by confirming the researchers’ interpretations with participants and by showing the data from multiple angles.

Transferability shifts the focus to whether the findings can be applicable in other contexts. It isn’t about broad generalizations in the statistical sense; instead, it relies on providing rich, detailed descriptions of the setting, participants, and processes so readers can determine whether the insights fit their own situations. The correct statement captures that credibility concerns accurate portrayal, while transferability concerns applicability to other contexts.