Member Checking

TLDR

Trustworthiness of qualitative research hinges on credible results, and member checking—often cited but superficially reported—serves as a key technique for validating participant perspectives. The commentary critiques current member‑checking practices and introduces an innovative in‑depth method, Synthesized Member Checking. The authors return data to participants for accuracy checks and, in a melanoma study, employ Synthesized Member Checking, allowing participants to review and augment interview data several months after the interview.

Abstract

The trustworthiness of results is the bedrock of high quality qualitative research. Member checking, also known as participant or respondent validation, is a technique for exploring the credibility of results. Data or results are returned to participants to check for accuracy and resonance with their experiences. Member checking is often mentioned as one in a list of validation techniques. This simplistic reporting might not acknowledge the value of using the method, nor its juxtaposition with the interpretative stance of qualitative research. In this commentary, we critique how member checking has been used in published research, before describing and evaluating an innovative in-depth member checking technique, Synthesized Member Checking. The method was used in a study with patients diagnosed with melanoma. Synthesized Member Checking addresses the co-constructed nature of knowledge by providing participants with the opportunity to engage with, and add to, interview and interpreted data, several months after their semi-structured interview.