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    Can sample size in qualitative research be determined a priori?

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    Accepted Version (181.0Kb)
    Date
    2018-03-27
    Author
    Sim, Julius
    Saunders, Benjamin
    Waterfield, Jackie
    Kingstone, Tom
    Metadata
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    Citation
    Sim, J., Saunders, B., Waterfield, J. & Kingstone, T. (2018) Can sample size in qualitative research be determined a priori? International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 21(5), pp. 619-634.
    Abstract
    There has been considerable recent interest in methods of determining sample size for qualitative research a priori, rather than through an adaptive approach such as saturation. Extending previous literature in this area, we identify four distinct approaches to determining sample size in this way: rules of thumb, conceptual models, numerical guidelines derived from empirical studies, and statistical formulae. Through critical discussion of these approaches, we argue that each embodies one or more questionable philosophical or methodological assumptions, namely: a nave realist ontology; a focus on themes as enumerable 'instances', rather than in more conceptual terms; an incompatibility with an inductive approach to analysis; inappropriate statistical assumptions in the use of formulae; and an unwarranted assumption of generality across qualitative methods. We conclude that, whilst meeting certain practical demands, determining qualitative sample size a priori is an inherently problematic approach, especially in more interpretive models of qualitative research.
    Official URL
    https://doi.org/10.1080/13645579.2018.1454643
    URI
    https://eresearch.qmu.ac.uk/handle/20.500.12289/5286
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    • Dietetics, Nutrition and Biological Sciences

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