Reconceptualizing the Member Check Interview

Abstract

The member check has been heralded as an important component of validation in qualitative research. Traditionally, the member check has been used in order to assess the accuracy with which a researcher has represented a participant's subjectivity. Some theorists, however, have argued that change, rather than representation, should be sought as a primary goal for qualitative research. The difference between using representation or change as a marker of validity has been described as a transactional/transformational divide. I argue that the member check can be utilized to span this divide in order to support a holistic view of validity. In particular, I assert that researchers should not expect participant subjectivities to remain static throughout the research process. Examples of the member check used in this manner are provided.

Between Vision and Reality: A Study of Scientists’ Views on Citizen Science

“…The fourth author was part of the group of ten scientists under study and served as a member validator: He read the analysis of the interviews and field diary and provided insider insights to balance subjectivity and increase the validity of the analysis (Koelsch 2013).…”

Toward structured peer support interventions in oncology: a qualitative insight into the experiences of gynaecological cancer survivors providing peer support

“…As no new themes were identified in the final three interviews of the initial recruitment phase, a second phase of recruitment was not conducted and analysis was concluded. Upon completion of data analysis, a member checking process was conducted, during which identified themes were presented to a sub-set of four participants to ensure consistency of these themes with participants' individual experiences [18].…”

Mirrors, portraits, and member checking: Managing difficult moments of knowledge exchange in the social sciences.

“…And, we saw in Val's insight how a member check can have a transformative effect on participants (Koelsch, 2013). Depending on the aims of the research, multiple interactions -as utilised in member checking -could useful track transformative effects.…”