Sampling in qualitative research
What is meant by the term “theoretical saturation”?
Deciding on a theory and then testing it repeatedly
The point at which a concept is so well developed that no further data collection is necessary
The problem of having used too many theories in one’s data analysis
A state of frustration caused by having used every possible statistical test without finding any significant results
The point at which a concept is so well developed that no further data collection is necessary
This term relates to Glaser & Strauss’s (1967, cited on page 410) grounded theory, in which the aim is to allow concepts to emerge gradually from the data. Theoretical sampling involves collecting more and more data to refine one’s theory until no more new ideas emerge; this is called the theoretical saturation point. Strauss & Corbin (1998, cited in Key concept 18.3 on page 411) show how saturation can be reached at the levels of concept, category and relationships between categories.
Reference: Bryman: Social Research Methods: 5th Edition Page(s) 410-412, Key concept 18.4
Reference: Bryman: Social Research Methods: 5th Edition Page(s) 410-412, Key concept 18.4
The point at which a concept is so well developed that no further data collection is necessary This term relates to Glaser & Strauss’s (1967, cited on page 410) grounded theory, in which the aim is to allow concepts to emerge gradually from the data. Theoretical sampling involves collecting more and more data to refine one’s theory until no more new ideas emerge; this is called the theoretical saturation point. Strauss & Corbin (1998, cited in Key concept 18.3 on page 411) show how saturation can be reached at the levels of concept, category and relationships between categories.
Reference: Bryman: Social Research Methods: 5th Edition Page(s) 410-412, Key concept 18.4
Reference: Bryman: Social Research Methods: 5th Edition Page(s) 410-412, Key concept 18.4
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Apart from people, what else can purposive sampling be used for?A. Documents
B. Timing of events
C. Context
D. All of the above
The two levels of sampling used by Savage et al. (2005) for the Manchester study were:
A. Random and purposive
B. Convenience and snowball
C. Statistical and non-statistical
D. Contexts and participants
The minimum sample size for qualitative interviewing is:
A. 30
B. 31
C. 60
D. It’s hard to say
Which of the following is not a type of purposive sampling?
A. Probability sampling
B. Deviant case sampling
C. Theoretical sampling
D. Snowball sampling
Generic purposive sampling can be characterized as being:
A. Fixed and a priori
B. Fixed and ad-hoc
C. Contingent and post-hoc
D. Contingent and ad infinitum
Why is an ethnographic study unlikely to use a probability sample?
A. Because the aim of understanding is more important than that of generalization
B. Because the researcher cannot control who is willing to talk to them
C. Because it is difficult to identify a sampling frame
D. All of the above
What can be generalized from a purposive sample?
A. That the findings are true for broadly similar cases
B. That the findings are true for the entire population
C. That the opposite is true for people who are the opposite of those in the sample
D. That purposive sampling is better than probability sampling
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