Qualitative research- sampling techniques

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Qualitative research- sampling techniques

Types of samples have an immense impact on the conclusions and results of qualitative research. As someone who conducted a qualitative research study for my thesis in graduate school, I have expert knowledge about how the type of sampling technique used can impact the study. The main types of sampling that will be discussed in regard to qualitative research studies are convenience, theoretical, purposive, quota, and network sampling as well as simple random. I will also discuss the impact of the type of sampling technique that I used on my study.

Convenience sampling involves the use of samples that are convenient or close to hand wherein the researcher could seemingly access the nearest person in the street or accidentally come across their subjects. This type of sampling isn't suitable for qualitative research as qualitative researchers have intimate knowledge about the research they are conducting and are willing to immerse themselves into their subject's environment because of the subjective viewpoints held on their research.

Theoretical sampling utilizes previous research that has utilized a subject to compare against the new research site that is chosen by the researcher. This type of research sampling isn't suitable for many qualitative researchers such as myself because the phenomenon often researched by qualitative researchers isn't heavily researched with limited literature on the subject existing within the research community. Therefore, the qualitative researcher usually is attempting to explore a new phenomenon that can't be compared against existing research.

Purposive sampling is sampling that is done with a concise purpose in mind wherein the researcher has chosen their sample population ...