Table 1 Five key criteria for the quality of qualitative research (adapted from Lincoln and Guba, 1995)

Plausibility - relates to how congruent the findings are with reality and how believable and trustworthy the research is (i.e. is the research plausible?)

Relevancy – relates to whether others can easily determine if the findings can be applied to other settings (i.e. is the research relevant to other situations and contexts?)

Consistency – relates to whether the study methods and procedures have been documented in a way that they can be adequately scrutinised and replicated and there is coherence between different parts of the research (i.e. is the process consistent and aligned?)

Transparency - relates to whether the researchers have been open, explicit and clear about the methods and procedures, including changes to planned methods, and their own biases and preconceptions (i.e. is the process visible?)

Currency – although not solely applicable to qualitative research, this relates to whether the research is appropriately situated in contemporary debate and discussion (i.e. is the research timely?)