Member Checking

A qualitative research technique in which researchers share their data interpretations and findings with members of the studied community to assess accuracy, resonance, and completeness. Member checking enhances the validity of qualitative research by ensuring that the researcher's analysis aligns with participants' lived experiences and that important nuances or perspectives are not missed. In accessibility and disability research, member checking is particularly valuable for ensuring that researchers' interpretations of disabled people's experiences are authentic and representative rather than filtered through non-disabled assumptions.