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Qualitative rigor, and reading the discussion like a skeptic

Qualitative findings and discussion sections both arrive without effect sizes, and both are read by asking whether the evidence on the page carries the claim being made. In qualitative work that means themes illustrated by several participants rather than one, contradictions grappled with rather than smoothed away, and quotes that reveal something the theme did not already say. In a discussion it means catching the slip from associated with to leads to, and checking that the stated limitations match the weaknesses visible in the methods.

Also covered: purposive sampling · data saturation · researcher reflexivity · thick description · outcome switching