Can Member Check Be Verified in Real Time? Introducing ARC (Asking, Record, Confirm) for Member Checking Validation Strategy in Qualitative Research

Abstract

Member checking involves a process to allow the data to be validated to ensure the credibility of the sources. It is also used to confirm the accuracy of the data and normally returned to the participant after the event or the session. However, it is almost common to find that the data could be lost or misinterpreted after being transcribed and analyzed by the researcher. This paper argues that validation post analysis is time-consuming and involves data lost in the making. Therefore, in this paper, ARC technique (ask, record, confirm) was employed to assist data collection and validation in real-time for qualitative research. Feedback from respondents during the focus group session was reconfirmed on post-it notes and later pasted on A1 sized sheet paper as open coding. This paper presents the steps it took to formulate challenges and opportunities on Building workforce for the future in the Architecture profession to illustrate the nature of the ARC technique. The research demonstrates how the data later transferred to ATLAS.ti 8 for thematic analysis. In the nutshell, the issue on the traditional approach can be addressed through the ARC intervention. Prior work on member checking does not address the issue to be resolved in a real-time. ARC technique will benefit a qualitative researcher to obtain reliable results for their qualitative inquiry.