<p>Qualitative research methods are accepted as congruent with and relevant to the perspective and goals of nursing. There exists, however, continued criticism of the methodological rigour of qualitative work (Sandelowski 1986, 2004, Farmer et al 2006, Morse 2006a, 2006b). This now informs how qualitative work is considered with the current emphasis on evidence-based practice (Grypdonck 2006, Morse 2006a, 2006b, Sandelowski et al 2006). What is the basis of this criticism? How can methodological rigour be demonstrated? Furthermore, what is rigour and what are the key issues for qualitative researchers? This paper attempts to answer these questions.</p>