Conducting Member Checks With Multilingual Research Participants From Diverse Backgrounds

Abstract

The veracity of qualitative research is typically measured according to well-established principles of trustworthiness. Adhering to these principles demonstrates that findings are the result of a rigorous methodology and that findings accurately describe the experiences of participants. Member checking is one strategy often utilized to ensure the credibility of the findings, while also generating a valuable opportunity for research participants to actively participate in the analytic process. However, there is limited guidance as to how to conduct member checks that are culturally and contextually relevant to all research participants, particularly if data has been collected in multiple languages with diverse participants. In these instances, researchers must remain vigilant to avoid excluding the voices of participants or designing member checks that might not be culturally and contextually responsive. This article describes a technique --- utilizing “I-poems” --- as an innovative way to conduct the member checking process with a diverse group of survivors of intimate partner violence who participated in a longitudinal evaluation of the services they received. This inclusive and innovative member checking process was found to be a culturally relevant way to maximize participation, minimize power imbalances, and invite research participants to become active partners in the analytic process.