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Qualitative Content Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Satu Elo
  • Maria Kääriäinen
  • Outi Kanste
  • Tarja Pölkki
  • Kati Utriainen
  • Helvi Kyngäs

Abstract

Qualitative content analysis is commonly used for analyzing qualitative data. However, few articles have examined the trustworthiness of its use in nursing science studies. The trustworthiness of qualitative content analysis is often presented by using terms such as credibility, dependability, conformability, transferability , and authenticity . This article focuses on trustworthiness based on a review of previous studies, our own experiences, and methodological textbooks. Trustworthiness was described for the main qualitative content analysis phases from data collection to reporting of the results. We concluded that it is important to scrutinize the trustworthiness of every phase of the analysis process, including the preparation, organization, and reporting of results. Together, these phases should give a reader a clear indication of the overall trustworthiness of the study. Based on our findings, we compiled a checklist for researchers attempting to improve the trustworthiness of a content analysis study. The discussion in this article helps to clarify how content analysis should be reported in a valid and understandable manner, which would be of particular benefit to reviewers of scientific articles. Furthermore, we discuss that it is often difficult to evaluate the trustworthiness of qualitative content analysis studies because of defective data collection method description and/or analysis description.

Suggested Citation

  • Satu Elo & Maria Kääriäinen & Outi Kanste & Tarja Pölkki & Kati Utriainen & Helvi Kyngäs, 2014. "Qualitative Content Analysis," SAGE Open, , vol. 4(1), pages 21582440145, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:sagope:v:4:y:2014:i:1:p:2158244014522633
    DOI: 10.1177/2158244014522633
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mojtaba Vaismoradi & Hannele Turunen & Terese Bondas, 2013. "Content analysis and thematic analysis: Implications for conducting a qualitative descriptive study," Nursing & Health Sciences, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 15(3), pages 398-405, September.
    2. Ulla Timlin & Kaisa Riala & Helvi Kyngäs, 2013. "Adherence to treatment among adolescents in a psychiatric ward," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 22(9-10), pages 1332-1342, May.
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