Which of the following is NOT one of the four criteria for overall rigor in qualitative research?

The criterion of generality is not considered one of the four main criteria for rigor in qualitative research. Qualitative research primarily focuses on understanding phenomena within specific contexts rather than seeking to generalize findings across diverse populations or settings, which is a key characteristic of quantitative research.

The four accepted criteria for rigor in qualitative research are credibility, dependability, transferability, and confirmability.

• Credibility refers to the confidence in the truth of the data and interpretations, analogous to internal validity in quantitative studies.

• Dependability entails the stability of data over time and under different conditions, ensuring that the research process and findings are consistent and reliable.

• Transferability is concerned with the extent to which findings can be applied or transferred to other contexts or groups, similar to external validity.

In summary, generality does not align with the qualitative research paradigm, which prioritizes context-specific understanding rather than universal applicability. This distinction is crucial for researchers to embrace when designing and evaluating qualitative studies.