Research Paper on:
Applicability of Qualitative Data

Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
can aid clinicians in evaluating the validity of qualitative research studies. These factors are credibility, transferability, dependability and confirmability (Trochim, 2006). Credibility refers to whether or not the results  of the research are "credible or believable" when viewed from the perspective of a study participant (Trochim, 2006). Since qualitative research is primarily concerned with comprehending specific phenomena from  the participants perspective, the participants themselves are considered to be the best evaluators of credibility (Trochim, 2006). Therefore, many qualitative researchers submit their results to the participants for feedback  on the researchers interpretation of data. In regards to transferability, researchers enhance this feature by describing their research and results in detail, which facilitates the reader being able to  transfer this information to a different context and situation. For example, Butt, et al (2002) performed qualitative study that investigated how nurses who are experiencing job change perceive their  learning needs. This study uses the theoretical perspective developed by Benner, who describes five successive levels in regards to the "acquisition and development of clinical expertise" in nursing, which are  "novice, advanced beginner, competent, proficient and expert" (Butt, et al, 2002, p. 67). While this study utilized some quantitative instruments, it built upon previous investigation in this area performed by  Baumann, et al, in 1995, which was purely qualitative. The point is that through qualitative research, data was provided that can guide nursing managers in aiding nurses new to their  work environment become acclimated, as research provides data on their learning needs. Nurses encounter daily problems that go beyond the details of technical, medical care and encompass psychological,  spiritual and emotional needs. There are no ready guidelines to offer assistance in how to handle these situations, but nurses can learn from other nurses in sharing knowledge of how