Elaine Browne.pdf - Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University

Trustworthiness
In qualitative research, trustworthiness constitutes the most significant criterion by which the
quality of the study is assessed (De Vos 2004, 349). The trustworthiness of the results will
depend on the degree to which the researcher provided evidence that the descriptions and
analysis do indeed represent the reality of the situations and persons investigated (Bloomberg
& Volpe 2008, 77). In order to ensure trustworthiness, researchers need to attend to aspects of
validity and reliability (Bloomberg & Volpe 2008, 85). Cohen, Manion and Morrison (2007, 133)
therefore advise researchers to attend to the “honesty, depth, richness and scope of the data
retrieved” in order to ensure validity. Reliability will be ensured when the researcher pays
attention to aspects of accuracy, comprehensiveness and consistency (Cohen, Manion &
Morrison 2007, 149). In this study, I attempted to ensure the trustworthiness of the
investigation by adhering to the principles alluded to above.
Conclusion
This chapter presented an outline of the research methodology employed in order to answer
the central research question, namely: How do teachers responsible for the teaching of Arts and
Culture in the Intermediate Phase at previously disadvantaged schools experience the
implementation of this learning area? The methodology, as described above, enabled me to
engage with the research question, as it provided rich data, which will be presented and
discussed in the next chapter.
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