In qualitative research, a member check, also known as informant feedback or respondent validation, is a technique used by researchers to help improve the accuracy, credibility, validity, and transferability (also known as applicability, internal validity,[1] or fittingness) of a study.[2] There are many subcategories of members checks, including: narrative accuracy checks, interpretive validity, descriptive validity, theoretical validity, and evaluative validity. In many member checks, the interpretation and report (or a portion of it) is given to members of the sample (informants) in order to check the authenticity of the work. Their comments serve as a check on the viability of the interpretation.[2]
Member checking can be done during the interview process, at the conclusion of the study, or both to increase the credibility and validity (statistics) of a qualitative study. The interviewer should strive to build rapport with the interviewee in order to obtain honest and open responses. During an interview, the researcher will restate or summarize information and then question the participant to determine accuracy. Member checks completed after a study are completed by sharing all of the findings with the participants involved. This allows participants to critically analyze the findings and comment on them. The participants either affirm that the summaries reflect their views, feelings, and experiences, or that they do not reflect these experiences. If the participants affirm the accuracy and completeness, then the study is said to have credibility. These member checks are not without fault, but serve to decrease the incidence of incorrect data and the incorrect interpretation of data. The overall goal of this process is to provide findings that are authentic, original and reliable.
^Creswell, John W. (1994). Research Design Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches. CA: USA: Sage. p. 158. ISBN 9780803952553.
^ abYanow, Dvora; Schwartz-Shea, Peregrine (2006). Interpretation and Method: Empirical Research Methods and the Interpretive Turn. ISBN 978-0-7656-1463-6.
In qualitative research, a membercheck, also known as informant feedback or respondent validation, is a technique used by researchers to help improve...
friend or family member who is concerned about the person's wellbeing. If law enforcement receives no response during a wellness check after knocking on...
role of the check pilot is to ensure that the flight crew member has met competency standards before the check airman releases the crew member from training...
"Check on It" is a song recorded by American singer Beyoncé. It was written by her, Swizz Beatz, Sean Garrett, Angela Beyincé and Slim Thug, and produced...
A cheque (British English) or check (American English); is a document that orders a bank, building society (or credit union) to pay a specific amount...
upstream A ball check valve is a check valve in which the closing member, the movable part to block the flow, is a ball. In some ball check valves, the ball...
was also rumoured to feature on the album, as he did on "Chin Check", as an official member of the group, filling in for Eazy-E, with Mel-Man, Dr. Dre's...
member financial institutions. Financial institutions that process substitute checks in accordance with such private agreements are typically members...
TSA PreCheck (branded as TSA Pre✓) is a Trusted Traveler program initiated in December 2013 and administered by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration...
Check and Double Check is a 1930 American pre-Code comedy film produced and released by RKO Radio Pictures, based on the Amos 'n' Andy radio show. The...
exclusively, it is more commonly (and appropriately) called a mic check. Sound checks are especially important for rock music shows and other performances...
Check Into Cash is a financial services retailer with more than 1,100 stores in 30 states. The company was founded in 1993 by W. Allan Jones in Cleveland...
the publisher, and "8" is the check digit. By prefixing a zero, this can be converted to ISBN 0-340-01381-8; the check digit does not need to be re-calculated...
"Check the Rhime" is the first single from A Tribe Called Quest's second album The Low End Theory. The song was written by group members Phife Dawg, Q-Tip...
The Check Clearing for the 21st Century Act (or Check 21 Act) is a United States federal law, Pub. L.Tooltip Public Law (United States) 108–100 (text)...
In professional wrestling, the TNA Gut Check (formerly known as the Impact Wrestling Gut Check) was a tryout program turned indy wrestling rookies reality...
In Scientology, the security check (or sec check) is an interrogation technique put into practice by founder L. Ron Hubbard in 1960. It involves an "Ethics...
Card check, also called majority sign-up, is a method for employees to organize into a labor union in which a majority of employees in a bargaining unit...
Check Your Head is the third studio album by the American hip hop group Beastie Boys, released on April 21, 1992, by Grand Royal and Capitol Records....
verified accounts on Twitter are often colloquially referred to as "blue checks" on social media and by reporters. In November 2022, the verification program...
The National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) is a background check system in the United States created by the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention...
initiatives. EarthCheck's principal certification program, EarthCheck Certified, is operational in over 70 countries, aiding members in achieving sustainable...
Teresa Checks In is an American reality television series that premiered on the Bravo cable network, on October 11, 2015. The three-part television special...
qualitative research study. A useful method of rigor to employ is member-checking or triangulation. According to Richard Fenno, one problem in participant...