Assessing the FACTS: A Mnemonic for Teaching and Learning the Rapid Assessment of Rigor in Qualitative Research Studies

Authors

Mohamed El Hussein, Mount Royal UniversityFollow
Sonya L. Jakubec, Mount Royal UniversityFollow
Joseph Osuji, Mount Royal UniversityFollow

Abstract

Teaching and learning research appraisal strategies is a challenge in undergraduate education and for practitioners alike. The appraisal of rigor in qualitative research papers is particularly complex and sophisticated work for many undergraduate research students and practitioners who want to develop their critical reading skills. The mnemonic strategy (The FACTS) explained in this paper is one pedagogical strategy for establishing a simplified approach to teaching and learning the appraisal of rigor in qualitative research. While not a comprehensive tool, the FACTS are a useful introduction to the complex challenge of qualitative research appraisal.

Keywords

Pedagogical Strategy, Mnemonic, Research Literacy, Qualitative Research, Research Appraisal

Author Bio(s)

Mohamed Toufic El Hussein RN, PhD, Associate Professor with the School of Nursing and Midwifery in the Faculty of Health, Community and Education at Mount Royal University. Correspondence regarding this article can be addressed directly to: Mohamed El Hussein at, 4825 Mount Royal Gate SW, Calgary, AB, T3E 6K6, Canada; Phone: (403) 440-8633; Fax: (403) 440-6203; E-mail: melhussein@mtroyal.ca.

Sonya L. Jakubec is a PhD candidate with the University of Calgary and an Associate Professor with the School of Nursing and Midwifery in the Faculty of Health, Community and Education at Mount Royal University. 4825 Mount Royal Gate SW, Calgary, AB, T3E 6K6, Canada; E-mail: sjakubec@mtroyal.ca.

Joseph Osuji C, RN, PhD, Associate Professor, School of Nursing, Faculty of Health and Community Studies, Mount Royal University. 4825 Mount Royal Gate SW, Calgary, AB, T3E 6K6, Canada E-mail: josuji@mtroyal.ca.

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Dr. Nancy Moules of the University of Calgary Faculty of Nursing. It was in her doctoral class, and with her encouragement, that this mnemonic was first developed by Dr. El Hussein.

Publication Date

8-3-2015

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.

DOI

10.46743/2160-3715/2015.2237

Recommended APA Citation

El Hussein, M., Jakubec, S. L., & Osuji, J. (2015). Assessing the FACTS: A Mnemonic for Teaching and Learning the Rapid Assessment of Rigor in Qualitative Research Studies. The Qualitative Report, 20(8), 1182-1184. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2015.2237