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Sample extensiveness in qualitative nutrition education research
1Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA. js57@cornell.edu
Journal of Nutrition Education
|April 16, 2002
Summary
Qualitative nutrition education research in the Journal of Nutrition Education showed varied sample sizes. Future studies should explicitly address sample extensiveness for better research quality.
Area of Science:
- Nutrition Education Research
- Qualitative Research Methodologies
Background:
- Sample extensiveness is a key aspect of qualitative research, indicating the depth of information gathered.
- This study focuses on sample extensiveness within qualitative nutrition education research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the sample extensiveness of qualitative studies published in the Journal of Nutrition Education (JNE).
- To assess how sample extensiveness was reported and if limitations were discussed.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective analysis of JNE articles from 1969 to 1999 (Volumes 1-31).
- Content analysis was used to identify qualitative studies, their methods, sample extensiveness, and reported limitations.
- Univariate and bivariate statistics were employed for analysis.
Main Results:
- Only 8% of JNE articles (71 total) utilized qualitative methods, with most published in the 1990s.
- Individual interviews averaged 45 participants, while group interviews involved an average of 15 groups and 141 participants.
- Few articles explicitly mentioned sample extensiveness as a limitation.
Conclusions:
- Sample extensiveness in qualitative nutrition education research within JNE demonstrated considerable variability.
- Increased attention to sample extensiveness in future qualitative research is recommended to enhance study rigor.