We subsequently propose an alternative way of evaluating saturation and offer a relatively easy-to-use method of assessing and reporting on it during or after an inductive thematic analysis. We follow this with an overview of the few empirically-based methods that have been put forward to operationalize and measure saturation and identify challenges of applying these approaches to real-life research contexts, particularly those that use inductive thematic analyses.
To provide the foundation for this approach, we define saturation and then review the work to date on estimating saturation and sample sizes for in-depth interviews. In this paper we present a method to assess and report on saturation that enables qualitative researchers to speak about-and provide some evidence for-saturation that goes beyond simple declaration. It is present in all qualitative research but, unfortunately, it is evident mainly by declaration”. As Morse pointed out more than 20 years ago, “saturation is an important component of rigor. Although this body of work has advanced the evidence base for sample size estimation during the design phase of a qualitative study, it does not provide a method to determine saturation, and the adequacy of sample sizes, during and/or after data collection. During the past two decades, scholars have conducted empirical research and developed mathematical/statistical models designed to estimate the likely number of qualitative interviews needed to reach saturation for a given study. Results from this analysis indicate the method we propose to assess and report on saturation is feasible and congruent with findings from earlier studies.ĭata saturation is the conceptual yardstick for estimating and assessing qualitative sample sizes. To validate our method, we use a bootstrapping technique on three existing thematically coded qualitative datasets generated from in-depth interviews. We additionally propose a more flexible approach to reporting saturation. Our approach includes three primary elements in its calculation and assessment: Base Size, Run Length, and New Information Threshold. Following a review of the empirical research on data saturation and sample size estimation in qualitative research, we propose an alternative way to evaluate saturation that overcomes the shortcomings and challenges associated with existing methods identified in our review. Using the principle of saturation as a foundation, we describe and validate a simple-to-apply method for assessing and reporting on saturation in the context of inductive thematic analyses. Over the past 20 years, scholars using both empirical research and mathematical/statistical models have made significant contributions to the question: How many qualitative interviews are enough? This body of work has advanced the evidence base for sample size estimation in qualitative inquiry during the design phase of a study, prior to data collection, but it does not provide qualitative researchers with a simple and reliable way to determine the adequacy of sample sizes during and/or after data collection. Data saturation is the most commonly employed concept for estimating sample sizes in qualitative research.
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