Fatal Flaws in Voice Research and How to Avoid Them, Part Two: Qualitative Studies

This article is the second part of a two-part series examining so-called “fatal flaws” in voice science, with an emphasis on qualitative studies. This type of research looks for evidence to explore real-world phenomena, and asks questions like, “why?” or “I wonder what, or how?” The most common errors noted in qualitative studies include researchers’ overestimation of their expertise, failure to practice intellectual humility, failure to control for researcher bias, and privileging the “expert in the room” rather than participants’ perspectives. Interview protocols are examined, including a common method for ensuring trustworthiness called “member checking.” Recommendations for avoiding common errors in survey research, both qualitative and quantitative, are discussed.