The Tetra Pillars of Trustworthiness in Qualitative Research: Equipping Early Career Researchers with a Fundamental Understanding

Abstract

Paralleled to reliability and validity of quantitative inquiries, trustworthiness is critically significant in qualitative research. Making sense of it and mastering and achieving it in qualitative studies is inevitable for qualitative researchers. However, due to limited guiding resources, complexity in the available literature, and often fragmented discussions, early-career researchers often go unequipped and less informed when they carry out their qualitative research. Given this reality, the present study aims to offer straightforward, holistic guidance towards conceptualizing trustworthiness in qualitative research. By following traditional or narrative literature review, the present study discusses the fundamental four pillars (criteria) of trustworthiness, including credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability. Furthermore, the paper explains the techniques associated with each pillar and how they can help achieve specific aspects of trustworthiness. Moreover, the paper provides an exemplification of the techniques used in a hypothetical (pretended) study in the field of AI and EFL writing. By reading, understanding, and applying these techniques, early-career researchers may be able to bring forth trustworthiness in their qualitative research.