Journal ArticleDOI
Sample Size in Qualitative Interview Studies: Guided by Information Power
TLDR
It is suggested that the size of a sample with sufficient information power depends on (a) the aim of the study, (b) sample specificity, (c) use of established theory, (d) quality of dialogue, and (e) analysis strategy.Abstract:
Sample sizes must be ascertained in qualitative studies like in quantitative studies but not by the same means. The prevailing concept for sample size in qualitative studies is "saturation." Saturation is closely tied to a specific methodology, and the term is inconsistently applied. We propose the concept "information power" to guide adequate sample size for qualitative studies. Information power indicates that the more information the sample holds, relevant for the actual study, the lower amount of participants is needed. We suggest that the size of a sample with sufficient information power depends on (a) the aim of the study, (b) sample specificity, (c) use of established theory, (d) quality of dialogue, and (e) analysis strategy. We present a model where these elements of information and their relevant dimensions are related to information power. Application of this model in the planning and during data collection of a qualitative study is discussed.read more
Citations
More filters
Journal ArticleDOI
Saturation in qualitative research: exploring its conceptualization and operationalization
Benjamin Saunders,Julius Sim,Tom Kingstone,Shula Baker,Jackie Waterfield,Bernadette Bartlam,Heather Burroughs,Clare Jinks +7 more
TL;DR: It is concluded that saturation should be operationalized in a way that is consistent with the research question(s), and the theoretical position and analytic framework adopted, but also that there should be some limit to its scope, so as to risk saturation losing its coherence and potency if its conceptualization and uses are stretched too widely.
Constructing Grounded Theory: A Practical Guide through Qualitative Analysis
TL;DR: The Grounded Theory: A Practical Guide through Qualitative Analysis as mentioned in this paper, a practical guide through qualitative analysis through quantitative analysis, is a good starting point for such a study.
Journal ArticleDOI
Code Saturation Versus Meaning Saturation: How Many Interviews Are Enough?
TL;DR: In this article, the authors compared two approaches to assess saturation: code saturation and meaning saturation, and examined sample sizes needed to reach saturation in each approach, what saturation meant, and how to assess it.
Journal ArticleDOI
Reflexive methodology - new vistas for qualitative research: Media Reviews
Journal ArticleDOI
To saturate or not to saturate? Questioning data saturation as a useful concept for thematic analysis and sample-size rationales
Virginia Braun,Victoria Clarke +1 more
TL;DR: It is argued that although the concepts of data-, thematic- or code-saturation, and even meaning-s saturation, are coherent with the neo-positivist, discovery-oriented, meaning excavation project of coding reliability types of TA, they are not consistent with the values and assumptions of reflexive TA.
References
More filters
Book
Discovery of Grounded Theory: Strategies for Qualitative Research
TL;DR: The Discovery of Grounded Theory as mentioned in this paper is a book about the discovery of grounded theories from data, both substantive and formal, which is a major task confronting sociologists and is understandable to both experts and laymen.
Book
The Structure of Scientific Revolutions
TL;DR: The Structure of Scientific Revolutions as discussed by the authors is a seminal work in the history of science and philosophy of science, and it has been widely cited as a major source of inspiration for the present generation of scientists.
Journal Article
InterViews: An introduction to qualitative research interviewing.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors introduce the concept of the research interview as a conversation and discuss the social construction of validity of the interview report and the ethical issues in conducting research interviews.
Journal ArticleDOI
How Many Interviews Are Enough?: An Experiment with Data Saturation and Variability
TL;DR: The authors operationalize saturation and make evidence-based recommendations regarding nonprobabilistic sample sizes for interviews and found that saturation occurred within the first twelve interviews, although basic elements for metathemes were present as early as six interviews.