Processual Validity in Qualitative Research in Healthcare

Abstract

Knowledge development has been continuously challenging. Qualitative research seems to be promising; however, there are difficulties and complexities involved, one of which is validity. Qualitative research is based on different paradigms, ontologies, theories, and methods, and validity assessment may vary. We argue that processual validity can positively influence qualitative health care research. Processual validity is a methodological construction that involves all research steps, including those before and after data collection and analysis. We selected a processual validity model and two cases to illustrate its use and demonstrate processual validity’s importance and applicability. One case explores the gap between medical education and patients’ needs in primary health care. Other studies focus on health care improvements in hospitals. Our results highlight the benefits of processual validity to ensure the transparency and reliability of the research process and provide evidence of the findings to positively influence thinking and the execution of qualitative research in health care.