Authentic Qualitative Research and the Quest for Methodological Rigour

Abstract

The nursing literature has witnessed a veritable explosion of qualitative research over the last two decades. Advocates of this trend would argue that it has clearly enriched our understanding of nursing phenomena, whereas sceptics might suggest that it has blurred the scientific foundations of our discipline. I would argue that both these positions have merit. In this short paper, I would like to address two related points. First, I will briefly discuss the problematic relationship between qualitative research and scientific tradition. Second, I will argue for the utilization of distinct criteria for methodological rigour that should be systematically upheld in qualitative nursing research.