VALIDITY IN QUALITATIVE RESEARCH IN PSYCH OLOGY

Qualitative research is characterised by non-numerical approach to dat a, which stresses' interpretation and reflection of the meaning, of th e context, and of the researcher's role. The authors describe general characteristics of validity in qualitative research and discuss three approaches to validity: moderate rejection of the principle of validit y, radical rejection of the principle of validity, and re-definition o f validity in qualitative research. As constitution of qualitative psy chology as a science is contingent on the reliability of its findings, the development in the conceptualisation of validity may influence th e development of qualitative psychology asa whole.