Validity and reliability in qualitative research: a theoretical-empirical interpretation proposal

The article discusses the ways to apply criteria of rigor and quality in qualitative research. The methodological precision of qualitative studies is an important issue, although it should not be planted as part of the necessary conditions to carry them out. In quantitative research, validity and reliability criteria are implemented, understanding that the first means the semantic adequacy between a concept (abstraction) and an indicator (empirical reference). While reliability is the consistency of the results obtained from successive measurements. To discuss this question, an example is taken of a doctoral research on the migration of transvestites/trans South Americans residing in the Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires. It indicates how the different rigor and quality criteria were applied, considering the scope and limitations of the study based on these criteria.