Calling for a Shared Understanding of Sampling Terminology in Qualitative Research
In this article we present the critical analysis of a recent methods overview, authored by McCrae and Purssell, as a means to highlight and address several important ambiguities and misunderstandings associated with terminology commonly used to describe sampling in qualitative research. We share sev...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SAGE Publishing
2017-08-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Qualitative Methods |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1177/1609406917725678 |
| _version_ | 1819225614670888960 |
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| author | Stephen J. Gentles Silvia L. Vilches |
| author_facet | Stephen J. Gentles Silvia L. Vilches |
| author_sort | Stephen J. Gentles |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In this article we present the critical analysis of a recent methods overview, authored by McCrae and Purssell, as a means to highlight and address several important ambiguities and misunderstandings associated with terminology commonly used to describe sampling in qualitative research. We share several definitive understandings of sampling-related issues, which have been informed by a rigorous analysis of the methods literature from another earlier methods overview focused more broadly on sampling in qualitative research. Specifically, we address ambiguities and inconsistencies related to what can be sampled in qualitative research (the sampling unit), the concept of theoretical sampling, the term purposeful sampling, the appropriateness of initial sampling in grounded theory, and the need to distinguish between the functions of reporting one’s sampling methods and describing the final participant sample. Finally, we argue that a continued lack of clarity in the language we use to describe what we do erodes the real and perceived quality of qualitative research. We point to the important role of methods overviews both for focusing attention on underdeveloped research methods topics and as a source of solutions to methodological problems. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-23T10:12:24Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-043b30943e964fed94d3f5f95179a7f5 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1609-4069 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-23T10:12:24Z |
| publishDate | 2017-08-01 |
| publisher | SAGE Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Qualitative Methods |
| spelling | doaj.art-043b30943e964fed94d3f5f95179a7f52022-12-21T17:50:54ZengSAGE PublishingInternational Journal of Qualitative Methods1609-40692017-08-011610.1177/1609406917725678Calling for a Shared Understanding of Sampling Terminology in Qualitative ResearchStephen J. Gentles0Silvia L. Vilches1 School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada Human Development and Family Studies, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USAIn this article we present the critical analysis of a recent methods overview, authored by McCrae and Purssell, as a means to highlight and address several important ambiguities and misunderstandings associated with terminology commonly used to describe sampling in qualitative research. We share several definitive understandings of sampling-related issues, which have been informed by a rigorous analysis of the methods literature from another earlier methods overview focused more broadly on sampling in qualitative research. Specifically, we address ambiguities and inconsistencies related to what can be sampled in qualitative research (the sampling unit), the concept of theoretical sampling, the term purposeful sampling, the appropriateness of initial sampling in grounded theory, and the need to distinguish between the functions of reporting one’s sampling methods and describing the final participant sample. Finally, we argue that a continued lack of clarity in the language we use to describe what we do erodes the real and perceived quality of qualitative research. We point to the important role of methods overviews both for focusing attention on underdeveloped research methods topics and as a source of solutions to methodological problems.https://doi.org/10.1177/1609406917725678 |
| spellingShingle | Stephen J. Gentles Silvia L. Vilches Calling for a Shared Understanding of Sampling Terminology in Qualitative Research International Journal of Qualitative Methods |
| title | Calling for a Shared Understanding of Sampling Terminology in Qualitative Research |
| title_full | Calling for a Shared Understanding of Sampling Terminology in Qualitative Research |
| title_fullStr | Calling for a Shared Understanding of Sampling Terminology in Qualitative Research |
| title_full_unstemmed | Calling for a Shared Understanding of Sampling Terminology in Qualitative Research |
| title_short | Calling for a Shared Understanding of Sampling Terminology in Qualitative Research |
| title_sort | calling for a shared understanding of sampling terminology in qualitative research |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1177/1609406917725678 |
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