Question 5In qualitative research, a guiding principle in deciding sample size is:Effect sizeNumber of variablesData saturationSub-group analysis

Qualitative Research Sample Size Guiding Principles

In qualitative research, deciding on the sample size is crucial as it can affect the credibility and reliability of the study findings. The options provided relate to different considerations in research methodology. Here's an analysis of each option:

1. Effect Size:

   • This term is more commonly used in quantitative research to describe the magnitude of a phenomenon or the strength of the relationship between variables. It is less relevant for qualitative studies that focus on exploring ideas or themes.

2. Number of Variables:

   • While understanding the number of variables is important in research, qualitative studies typically do not operate under the same framework as quantitative studies regarding variable count, focusing instead on depth of understanding.

3. Data Saturation:

   • This is a key concept in qualitative research. Data saturation refers to the point in data collection when no new information or themes are emerging from the data. This often informs researchers when to stop collecting data.

4. Sub-group Analysis:

   • This involves analyzing different segments of a sample but is generally more relevant to quantitative studies where sub-groups can be statistically analyzed.

Conclusion

Among these options, Data Saturation is the guiding principle most pertinent to determining sample size in qualitative research. Researchers aim for a sample size large enough to reach this saturation point, ensuring that the data collected adequately represents the themes and insights they are investigating.