A non-traditional validation tool: using cultural domain analysis for interpretive phenomenology

ABSTRACT

Validation is a critical element of analysis which increases the credibility, rigor, and trustworthiness of research. Interpretive phenomenology traditionally has employed member checking as the validation tool to support the themes cultivated from data. However, the literature has challenged member checking as being insufficient or inaccurate in validating interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA). Using cultural domain analysis (CDA) to validate IPA findings is a novel and non-traditional approach to the method design. CDA, a method more commonly associated with ethnographic or anthropological research, parallels the epistemology and ontology of IPA. This article illustrates the use of free listing (a CDA tool) to validate findings of an interpretive phenomenological study about Generation Z’s experiences in the workplace. A brief discussion of the study will be included to establish context, but the primary discussion will address using cultural domain analysis to validate IPA. The implications, limitations, and challenges of this method design will also be discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Interpretive phenomenology (IPA)
• cultural domain analysis (CDA)
• freelisting
• validation
• innovative approaches

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The authors have not received any funding to support to financial requirements of this study, nor will they receive funding as part of or based on the findings of this study.

Notes on contributors

Kristina K. McGaha

Dr. Kristina K. McGaha began researching generational trends five years ago at the beginning of her doctoral journey. In that time, she has presented research on Generation Z internationally for academic conferences and organizations. She holds a Doctorate of Management in Organizational Leadership from the University of Phoenix. She also holds a Master’s of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix and a Bachelor’s of Arts in Linguistics from the University of Arizona. She currently is an Alumni Research Fellow at the University of Phoenix.

Patricia A. D’Urso

Dr. Patricia A. D’Urso is a native of Pennsylvania and has worked in academe since 1970. Pat earned a Ph.D., in Adult Education with a cognate in research and measurement (stats) at the University of South Florida. She earned a Master’s of Business Administration with a concentration in management from Penn State, A Master’s of Science in Psychology from the University of Phoenix, and a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Industrial and Labor Relations with an economics minor from the State University of New York at Cortland. She holds a Supervision Certification from Cornell University, a Green Belt in Six Sigma from Villanova University, and has completed the course work for the Black Belt certification through the American Society of Quality.