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Sample size in qualitative research

M Sandelowski1

  • 1Department of Women's and Children's Health, School of Nursing, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 27599-7460, USA.

Research in Nursing & Health
|April 1, 1995
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

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In qualitative research, sample size matters for achieving data saturation and enabling in-depth analysis. Determining adequate sample size requires careful judgment based on research goals and methods.

Area of Science:

  • Social Sciences
  • Qualitative Research Methodologies

Background:

  • Qualitative research often faces misconceptions regarding the importance of sample size.
  • Inadequate sample sizes can hinder achieving informational redundancy or theoretical saturation.
  • Excessively large sample sizes may impede the deep, case-oriented analysis characteristic of qualitative inquiry.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To address the misconception that sample size is unimportant in qualitative research.
  • To clarify the factors influencing the determination of adequate sample size in qualitative studies.
  • To guide researchers in balancing sample size with analytical depth and data richness.

Main Methods:

  • This study is a conceptual analysis and synthesis of principles in qualitative sampling.
  • It reviews common practices and challenges in determining sample size for qualitative research.

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  • The analysis emphasizes the role of researcher judgment and contextual factors.

    • Main Results:

    • Adequate sample size in qualitative research is not solely determined by numerical value.
    • Sample size adequacy is contingent upon achieving informational redundancy and theoretical saturation.
    • Effective sample size is balanced against the need for in-depth case analysis.

    Conclusions:

    • Determining adequate sample size in qualitative research is a nuanced process.
    • It requires experienced judgment evaluating information quality against research objectives, methods, and intended outcomes.
    • Qualitative sample adequacy is achieved through a combination of strategic sampling and rigorous analysis, not just participant numbers.