During qualitative research, which term refers to how research findings resonate with participants’ experiences?

The correct choice relates to the concept of fittingness in qualitative research, which signifies how well the research findings align with the real-life experiences of the participants. Fittingness indicates that the research accurately reflects and resonates with the participants' situations, making the findings meaningful and relevant to them. This is a key aspect of qualitative research, where understanding the context and depth of participants' experiences is crucial.

In qualitative studies, achieving fittingness enhances the credibility of the findings, allowing researchers to demonstrate that their results hold true within the contexts in which the participants live. It ensures that the voice of the participants is preserved and accurately represented.

The other terms, while important in research, have different meanings. Validity refers to the accuracy of the research measures and whether they adequately assess what they are intended to measure, which may not necessarily focus on the participants' experiences. Member checking involves returning to participants to verify that the findings accurately represent their perspectives, but it does not inherently address how those findings resonate; it is more about ensuring accuracy. Reactivity pertains to how the presence of the researcher might influence participants' behaviors or responses, which does not directly relate to the resonance of findings with their experiences.