Transferability & Credibility (DP IB Psychology): Revision Note

Transferability & Credibility

• Transferability is a type of generalisability used specifically with qualitative data

  • It refers to the extent to which a study's findings can be applied/generalised to other populations/contexts outside of the study's parameters

• The aim is not statistical generalisation but to ensure that findings resonate with readers by providing rich insight and detail

• Good transferability evokes a sense of familiarity and shared understanding of the experience described

  • This may happen easily for topics which are more common among a wider population (e.g., school days)

  • The findings are less likely to be transferable if the topic/experience is more 'niche' ) or idiosyncratic (e.g., becoming a refugee)

  • Research which is outdated may not transfer easily to modern contexts, which is something for researchers to consider as well

• To ensure transferability, researchers should fully describe

  • the methods (e.g., interview type, structured/unstructured)

  • sampling (how participants were obtained, why selected)

  • procedure (how the study was conducted, materials used, recording methods)

  • analysis (how data were analysed, why that method was chosen)

  • findings (how they relate to and support the theory being investigated)

Credibility

• Credibility is the qualitative equivalent of reliability

• Since qualitative research often uses small samples and non-replicable methods, reliability is reframed as trustworthiness and believability

• A credible study:

  • transparently explains methods and materials used

  • demonstrates the competence and integrity of the researcher

  • is published after scrutiny (e.g., peer review)

Ways to enhance credibility

• Triangulation:

  • One dataset checks another for consistency (e.g., interview transcript vs. questionnaire responses).

  • One researcher checks interpretations with another (agreement on design, coding, or findings).

• Researcher reflexivity:

  • Honest reflection in the discussion section on both strengths and weaknesses

  • Transparency about limitations increases trustworthiness