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6 years ago in Qualitative Research By JasonDer

Should I opt to validate my qualitative interview guide or I can start collecting data without getting it reviewed?

Should I validate my qualitative interview guide before collecting data, or is it acceptable to begin data collection without prior review? What are the implications of each approach?

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By Judeth Answered 5 years ago

It is strongly recommended to validate your qualitative interview guide before full-scale data collection. While not always formally mandatory, this step is a crucial marker of methodological rigor. Validation, typically through pilot testing with a small, similar sample or expert review, helps identify and rectify ambiguous, leading, or overly complex questions. It ensures your guide effectively elicits rich, relevant data aligned with your research objectives. Skipping this process risks collecting superficial or irrelevant data, potentially compromising your entire study's depth and credibility. The minor time investment in validation significantly enhances the reliability and trustworthiness of your findings.  

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