Open AccessApplication of Rigour and Credibility in Qualitative Document Analysis: Lessons Learnt from a Case Study
Author(s) -
Leanne M. Wood,
Bernadette Sebar,
Nerina Vecchio
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
the qualitative report
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2160-3715
DOI - 10.46743/2160-3715/2020.4240
Subject(s) - rigour , credibility , thematic analysis , qualitative research , process (computing) , management science , sociology , epistemology , computer science , psychology , engineering ethics , social science , engineering , philosophy , operating system
This paper probes functions and processes of qualitative document analysis (QDA), a method widely used in case study research. It firstly demonstrates the application of a QDA framework to inform a case study of women entrepreneurs in rural Australia; and provides insights into the lessons learnt, including strengths and limitations of QDA. Secondly, the paper provides guidelines for novice researchers seeking to use thematic analysis in a QDA process, arguing for rigour in naming assumptions and explicitness about the procedures employed. The paper contributes to discussion in the literature that positions QDA not only as a convenient tool, but as a method embedded in a conceptual framework integral to the credibility and rigour of the qualitative “story” and what makes that story feel “right” to both researcher and reader (Corbin & Strauss, 2008).