Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Malterud, Kirsti
• Siersma, Volkert Dirk
• Guassora, Ann Dorrit

Titel

Sample Size in Qualitative Interview Studies: Guided by Information Power

Ist Teil von

• Qualitative health research, 2016-11, Vol.26 (13), p.1753-1760

Ort / Verlag

Los Angeles, CA: SAGE Publications

Erscheinungsjahr

2016

Link zum Volltext

Quelle

Alma/SFX Local Collection

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• Sample sizes must be ascertained in qualitative studies like in quantitative studies but not by the same means. The prevailing concept for sample size in qualitative studies is “saturation.” Saturation is closely tied to a specific methodology, and the term is inconsistently applied. We propose the concept “information power” to guide adequate sample size for qualitative studies. Information power indicates that the more information the sample holds, relevant for the actual study, the lower amount of participants is needed. We suggest that the size of a sample with sufficient information power depends on (a) the aim of the study, (b) sample specificity, (c) use of established theory, (d) quality of dialogue, and (e) analysis strategy. We present a model where these elements of information and their relevant dimensions are related to information power. Application of this model in the planning and during data collection of a qualitative study is discussed.