Reliability, Validity and Trustworthiness in Nursing Essay

Reliability, Validity and Trustworthiness in Nursing - Essay Example 30). In case positive results of the nurses’ researches and studies are reached, then their research strategies are valid and reliable (Zangaro, Soeken 2005, p. 6). Qualitative researches are often positioned as pragmatic researches and there is no doubt that there is a need to follow the rules of these researches. In accordance with Aristotle, there is more practical than theoretical aspects of nursing. One of the greatest ancient philosophers claims: â€Å"practical sciences inquire into the principles and causes of things to achieve knowledge in order to make, as in engineering, or in order to do, as in ethics† (Strickland 2006, p. 5). Three main concepts of nursing research Reliability and validity are two integrative elements of trustworthiness of the researches and studies. Trustworthiness of the research depends on the initial research question, data collection, analysis and conclusions reached. The issues of validity and reliability should be taken into account in the process of reading different research projects, either quantitative or qualitative ones. Both in qualitative and quantitative studies, these concepts are of crucial importance. That is why the following research, which is based on the article by Byrne, Cooper and Fairburn â€Å"Weight maintenance and relapse in obesity: a qualitative study†, the concept of reliability is discussed in detail. The study deals with the problems of obesity, a challenging issue of weight regain and weight maintenance. A qualitative approach is chosen in this study, because there is a need to define the number of factors, which are influencing on weight maintenance and relapse in obesity. The reliability of quantitative studies depends on the methodology of calculation. In the study conducted by Byrne, Cooper and Fairburn transcripts were analyzed with the help of NUD*IST software (Byrne, Cooper and Fairburn 2003, p. 956). Reliability demonstrates how a certain procedural instrument is used to provide similar results in different circumstances. Validity is the correlation of an intended measure with the real measure. These two concepts should be better considered in terms of nursing research. In a broader definition: â€Å"validity in relation to research is a judgment regarding the degree to which the components of the research reflect the theory, concept, or variable under study† (Roberts 2006, p. 42). In order to determine whether results are valid or not, it is necessary to determine worthiness of the reached results in the process of the study. Internal validity refers to evaluation of the results’ worthiness. External validity deals with generalization of the study’s results and its application to the larger population (Morse 1991, p. 15). Further on, the concept of reliability is considered in detail and it is relevant to discuss the main characteristics of this concept. Reliability determines an instrument’s stability and consistency in a certain context. Reliability of a measured instrument should be considered in terms of a particular study otherwise its application may be irrelevant. Further on reliability will be considered in accordance with three main characteristics: stability, internal consistency and equivalence (Munhall 2001, p. 18). Test-retest