Feedback from research participants: are member checks useful in qualitative research?

By D. Thomas. 2017

518 citations recorded by the source corpus.

ABSTRACT It is often assumed that use of so-called “member checks” improves the credibility of qualitative research. Published literature mentioning member checks was reviewed to identify the purposes and procedures for seeking feedback from research participants as well as outcomes reported from member checks. Four themes reflecting underlying assumptions about the purposes of research that have implications for member checks were identified: theory generalisation, representation, participation, and change. Member checks are unlikely to be relevant to research focussed on theory development and generalisation. For other types of research, member checks might be justifiable, but there was little evidence that member checks improved research findings. Member checks can be useful for obtaining participant approval for using quotations or case studies and where anonymity cannot be guaranteed. In evaluation, stakeholder reviews of draft reports can be seen as good research practice. In participatory or collaborative research, ongoing contact might include member checks.

Subfields: Education, General Health Professions, Management Science and Operations Research

View Paper: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/c3fd9b2c70d93cbaabb75fa2db364320308bd708

How researchers see this paper

The researchers whose trusted networks rank it highest, strongest advocate first. Every researcher gets a different order.

In Education

1. Brett W. Smith
2. Kerry R. McGannon

In General Health Professions

1. Brett W. Smith
2. Kerry R. McGannon

In Management Science and Operations Research

1. Kerry R. McGannon
2. Brett W. Smith

Citations in the corpus

• Developing rigor in qualitative research: problems and opportunities within sport and exercise psychology (2017, methodology): “Second, despite claims about the value of member checking, in a recent review of published literature by Thomas (2017) it was concluded that there is ‘no evidence that routine member checks enhance the credibility or trustworthiness of qualitative research’ (p.”