Verified Document

Sampling Sizes: How Much Is Enough Essay

Sampling Size: Qualitative Research The aim of qualitative research is to ensure that the population in question is studied with sufficient rigor and above all sufficient depth to yield meaningful results. "There is a point of diminishing return to a qualitative sample -- as the study goes on more data does not necessarily lead to more information… qualitative research is concerned with meaning and not making generalised hypothesis statements" (Mason 2010:8). The advantage to large sampling sizes is that they are more representative as a whole and are less likely to be thrown off by anomalies: "for qualitative studies, where the goal is to 'reduce the chances of discovery failure,' a large sample size broadens the range of possible data and forms a better picture for analysis" ("The importance of a quality sample size," 2013, Unite for Sight). In the process of qualitative research, when a small sampling size is selected even though "these informants are purposefully selected and the data themselves seem valid, there is no guarantee that these informants' views are typical" (Maxwell 2005: 91). However,...

This makes using very large numbers logistically unfeasible, given that the amount of quality time which can be spent with individual patients will inevitably be diluted (Maxwell 2005: 91-92)
Quantitative research is numerical and data-driven, and thus there are specific, statistical standards which must be met in terms of determining sample size. In contrast, determining an appropriate sample for qualitative research is primarily dependent upon finding a 'saturation point' for the data (Mason 2010:8). In other words, how many people do you need to collect data upon until no additional meaningful information will be yielded? To avoid diluting the quality of the in-depth, concentrated research, understanding the saturation point is critical. "Saturation determines the majority of qualitative sample size" (Mason 2010:8). However, saturation is very difficult to establish and can be somewhat subjective. "Researchers often claim to have achieved…

Sources used in this document:
References

Mason, M. (2010). Sample size and saturation in PHD studies using qualitative research.

Qualitative Social Research, 11 (3): 8. Retrieved from http://www.qualitative-research.net/index.php/fqs/article/view/1428/3027

Maxwell, J.A. (2005). Qualitative research design: An interactive approach (2nd Ed.).

Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
http://www.uniteforsight.org/global-health-university/importance-of-quality-sample-size
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Sampling Size Sampling Strategy and Sample Size
Words: 1269 Length: 4 Document Type: Essay

Sampling Size Sampling Strategy and Sample Size for a Qualitative Research Plan A grounded theory perspective on the victimization of women and human trafficking The formulas for determining appropriate sampling sizes for quantitative research studies are fairly formalized, given the need to make generalizations about the macro-level population based upon the findings of these experimental or quasi-experimental studies. However, the purpose of qualitative studies is to come to conclusions based upon the researcher's

Sampling Strategy and Sample Size for Quantitative
Words: 1450 Length: 5 Document Type: Essay

Sampling Strategy and Sample Size for Quantitative Research Plan Referred to as modern-day slavery, the criminal and devastating incidences of human trafficking is something that are of responsibility of the entire international stage. This paper will look at the global emergency of human trafficking and will seek to examine the best method of gathering a sample for a quantitative research study. This research study seeks to accumulate the most relevant and

Sampling and Empirical Research Studies Quantitative Scientific
Words: 560 Length: 2 Document Type: Research Paper

Sampling and Empirical Research Studies Quantitative scientific studies typically require sample sizes that are sufficiently large enough to produce valid interpretable data, and using a questionnaire-based survey to poll a large group of respondents is a traditionally accepted methodology within the realm of scholarly research. The objective of any survey-based sampling experiment is to translate raw statistical data on a testable subject of interest, obtained from a sizable sample of relevant

Sampling Error Is the Term
Words: 533 Length: 2 Document Type: Essay

Part B 6) The sample population for this study will be a group of elderly individuals that visits a senior activity center operated by the city. Elderly individuals represent the overall population of study in this research, and the senior center will provide an easy way to meet and access a diverse representative sample of this population. The fact that these seniors are active at the center might skew results somewhat, however. 7) The

Developing a Sampling Plan
Words: 5476 Length: 17 Document Type: Term Paper

Sampling Plan Before discussing a sampling plan, there has to be clear and unambiguous definitions of what a sample and sampling are. Despite diversity in the definition of a sample, the best meaning is that a sample could be considered as a subset of a population, with which a researcher would like to use as participants in a given research study (Landreneau & Creek, 2012). According to Deming (1990), sapling is

Class Size Cooperative Learning and Its Effects on Participation
Words: 17351 Length: 60 Document Type: Term Paper

Size/Cooperative Learning & it's effects on participation Action Research Question Will cooperative learning have a significantly positive impact on smaller or larger classes? The purpose of this study was to investigate if cooperative learning will have a significantly positive impact on smaller or larger classes. In order to have valid results, I used both my largest and smallest classes as my sampling. I also incorporated a variety of teaching styles with cooperative

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now