Term
| principles of quantitative sampling |
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Definition
- choose participants who will provide most meaningful info
- want to research saturation and achieve redundancy to get little new information
- try to collect information representative of the range of experiences, perspectives, and behaviors relevant to the research question
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Term
| non random sampling approaches: types |
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Definition
- theoretical
- appropriate when trying to generate substantive theory
- start with small numbers of respondents
- ask what more information do I need, and where do I think I will find it
- continuous sampling
- guided by data collection, analysis, and interpretation
- a priori
- define in advance the characteristics and structure of sample
- based on research question and purpose
- decide on the number of participants and background characteristics
- does not preclude sampling additions and changes as study progresses
- most familiar approach in public health
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Term
| sample size: how to determine |
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Definition
- optimal sample size is less clear at outset of study
- determined by completeness of data
- qualitative researcher is guided by how well incoming data answers the research question
- hard to use "when we reach saturation point" for planning, so instead:
- start with minimum sample based on research purpose
- expand to enrich/complete the findings
- always document
- be clear about why the change in sampling strategy is justified by research question and by the emerging findings
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Term
| validity of qualitative sampling strategy |
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Definition
- small purposive samples fit the objectives of qualitative research
- crucial to describe, justify, explain selection process
- be transparent so others can judge the strengths and weaknesses
- be careful not to over-generalize findings
- maximize the advantages of purposive sampling- depth and complexity in findings
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Term
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Definition
- select extreme cases to understand the conditions and characteristics of more typical situations
- looking at deviant helps point to what it deviates from
- be clear that these are unusual cases and were selected because of that
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Term
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Definition
- select "the best" examples of phenomenon (they give the most info)
- often used in case studies
- best practices research
- intensive exploration of key issues with fewer persons or groups
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Term
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Definition
- select respondents based on similarities in characteristics
- appropriate for studying one or more groups in depth
- may need formative work to determine what those characteristics should be
- allows focus on a central issue that is relevant to all (FGD's)
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Term
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Definition
- select diverse participants to highlight variation in complex phenomenon
- good to studying issues that cut across individual or program variations
- looking for different perspectives on something, or common issues across groups
- similar experiences, behaviors, or perceptions in otherwise dissimilar groups
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Term
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Definition
- select "average" case to profile for understanding principle features
- typical case is either illustrative or a unit of analysis
- often used in program evaluation or operations research
- need discussions with key informants to determine with constitutes "typical"
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Term
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Definition
- locate respondents by asking others- key informants, groups- who have special understanding of phenomenon
- expanding sample
- useful when researcher is not familiar with the field
- useful for finding the hard to find
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Term
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Definition
- take advantage of opportunities presented to the researchers in the field
- "on the spot decision making"
- responding to findins as they emerge during data collection
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Term
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Definition
- how you do this depends on research purpose and sampling strategy
- what are some ways to start IDing participants
- key informants?
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Term
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Definition
- instrumental in preliminary phases of investigation
- can help in triangulating information
- can help in generating primary data
- instrumental in snowball sampling
- be clear about what makes a study participant a key informant
- objective criteria, contribution, engagement
- relationships with key informants
- protecting key informants
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Term
| other sources of qualitative sampling |
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Definition
- texts
- official documents
- magazines and newspapers
- historical documents
- blogs
- settings
- objects
- events and happening
- popular discourse
- photographs
- films
- TV
- music, videos
- jokes
- banners and posters
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