Purposeful Sampling And Saturation In Qualitative Research

Purposeful Sampling And Saturationqualitative Research Is Fundamentall

Purposeful Sampling and Saturation Qualitative research is fundamentally framed by a research problem which is the need for the research, a research purpose which reflects the intent, idea, or objective underlying a study, and the research questions which constitute questions that the data gathering will help to answer (Creswell, 2009). In qualitative research, data gathering or sampling strategy to answering research questions is by two means or sources-site and participant (Maxwell as cited in Ravitch & Carl, 2016) since in essence, the research problem initiates the study whiles the study purpose and study questions inform the sampling strategy (Creswell, 2009). The ensuing discussion is designed towards critiquing the sampling strategy employed by Yob & Brewer (n.d.) vis-a-vis the article under review.

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Qualitative research hinges critically on its sampling strategies and the concept of data saturation to ensure comprehensive and meaningful insights into the phenomenon under study. The foundation of qualitative inquiry is rooted in the research problem, purpose, and questions that direct the selection of data sources, participants, and sites, aiming to generate rich, detailed understanding rather than generalizability (Creswell, 2009). This framework is reflected in the study conducted by Yob & Brewer (n.d.), which aimed to explore references for understanding positive social change within a distance learning university context.

In qualitative paradigms, purposeful sampling is considered a primary method for selecting information-rich cases that can illuminate the research problem (Patton, 2015). Yob & Brewer employed a purposeful sampling strategy by selecting thirty individuals from the university—comprising faculty, students, and alumni—who had backgrounds in or participated actively in positive social change activities. Such a strategy aligns with the goal of purposive sampling: to select participants who possess specific knowledge, experiences, or perspectives that can enhance understanding of the phenomenon (Ravitch & Carl, 2016). The sample was also drawn from a distance learning environment characterized by geographic dispersion, which adds contextual richness and reflects the institution’s digital and dispersed nature.

Furthermore, the study employed a site—an online, geographically dispersed university—which is consistent with purposive sampling's emphasis on context relevance. The selection of participants based on their involvement in positive social change activities and their roles within the university exemplifies a strategic approach to obtaining insightful data pertinent to the research purpose. However, the study did not explicitly outline the detailed criteria or processes for participant selection, which could have strengthened the clarity and reproducibility of the sampling approach.

It is also noteworthy that in qualitative research, multiple strategies can be deployed to achieve purposeful sampling (Ravitch & Carl, 2016). The authors' approach somewhat resembles the 'instrumental' or 'key informant' methodologies, where cases and individuals are selected not only for their direct relevance but also for their capacity to inform broader understanding or policy (Ravitch & Carl, 2016). The selection aimed to develop generalizable insights that could inform curriculum development and policy related to positive social change initiatives, which illustrates strategic sampling aimed at informing practice.

In terms of data collection, Yob & Brewer relied primarily on interviews, but they could have enriched their approach by integrating additional methods such as focus groups, participant observation, or collecting documents and media related to social change activities. Such triangulation and multi-method approaches could have enhanced the depth and richness of data, providing a more nuanced understanding of the social change efforts within this digital and dispersed setting. Incorporating reflexivity, memos, and contact summary forms could have further strengthened their analytic rigor and transparency.

Regarding data saturation—a key concept in qualitative research—it refers to the point at which additional data no longer yield new insights or themes (Guest, Bunce, & Johnson, 2006). Yob & Brewer, while not explicitly discussing saturation, appear to have reached a point where thematic development plateaued, as suggested by their iterative coding and coding alignment with research questions. The consistency across codes, themes, and research questions implies they achieved a level of saturation suitable for their study's purpose. However, explicit documentation of saturation criteria—such as the number of interviews or analyses conducted until no new themes emerged—would have added clarity and rigor to their methodology.

In conclusion, the study by Yob & Brewer presents a purposeful sampling strategy consistent with qualitative research principles, selecting participants based on their knowledge and involvement in positive social change activities within a dispersed online university setting. While the strategy aligns with recommended frameworks, greater transparency regarding participant selection criteria and broader data collection methods could have strengthened the study's richness and credibility. Overall, a well-constructed sampling approach, combined with the application of data saturation, supports the validity and depth of qualitative inquiry, reflecting the importance of emergent and flexible strategies aligned with the research purpose (Patton, 2015; Ravitch & Carl, 2016).

References

• Creswell, J. (2009). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. Sage Publications.
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• Ravitch, S. M., & Carl, N. M. (2016). Qualitative research: Bridging the conceptual, theoretical, and methodological. Sage Publications.
• Yob, I., & Brewer, P. (n.d.). Working toward the common good: An online university's perspectives on social change, 1-25.
• Maxwell, J. A. (2013). Qualitative research design: An interactive approach. Sage Publications.
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