In qualitative data analysis, why is the credibility and trustworthiness of field notes essential for ensuring accurate interpretations of the data?

Credible and trustworthy field notes are the foundation of any qualitative study because they record the actual events and participants’ behaviors in a reliable way. If the notes contain errors, omissions, or biases, the researcher’s interpretations will be built on shaky ground, leading to false conclusions. Reliable notes allow the researcher to cross‑check observations with other data sources, ensuring consistency and validity. For example, if a researcher accurately records that a student asked “What does this mean? ” rather than simply writing “student confused,” the analysis can explore the student’s conceptual struggle rather than guessing.