Reference no: EM133525384

Discussion Post: Purposeful Sampling and Saturation

What is a good sample in qualitative research? It is NOT about size or generalizability.

The answer lies in how clearly you articulate the criteria for selecting data sources; your ability to purposefully select cases; and the extent to which those cases are "information-rich... for in-depth study" (Patton, 2015, p. 264) with respect to the purpose of the study.

As you prepare for this week's Discussion, consider turning your attention to the variety of purposeful sampling strategies you may consider in developing your research plan. Also consider that qualitative researchers seek a threshold or cut-off point for when to stop collecting data. There is no magic number (although there are guidelines). Rather, saturation occurs as an interface between the researcher and the data and  between data collection and data analysis to determine when enough is enough.

For this Discussion, you will critique a sampling strategy used in a research article.

To prepare for this Discussion:

Review the Guest, Bunce, and Johnson article; the Yob and Brewer article; and the Learning Resources related to sampling and saturation.

Task

Prepare a critique of the sampling strategy used by Yob and Brewer (n.d.). Include the following your critique:

1) The purpose of the study

2) Research questions

3) Site selection

4) The type of purposeful sampling strategy the researchers applied.

5) An alternative sampling strategy that the researchers could have considered. Explain your choice in terms of how the strategy is consistent with their research purpose and criteria for selecting cases.

6) Provide a data saturation definition and evaluate the work of the researchers in this article regarding their efforts to achieve data saturation. Note what the researchers could have done differently to convince you that the relevant and important themes emerged.