How is the number of subjects for participation determined for a qualitative study?
A) Data are collected from new subjects until data saturation is reached.
B) The number of subjects is the number available at a specific location.
C) The number of subjects is the number available within the researcher's specified time frame.
D) A power analysis of data collected in a pilot study is used to determine the number.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The number of subjects for participation in a qualitative study is typically determined by the concept of data saturation. Data saturation is the point at which new data no longer yield additional insights or information, and the researcher is confident that the data collected is sufficient to answer the research question. This means that the number of participants can vary depending on the research question, the sample population, and the complexity of the study. Researchers collect data from new participants until they reach data saturation, which can vary based on the nature of the study. Therefore, option A is the most appropriate choice.
Option B and C are not appropriate choices as they rely on convenience sampling, where the participants are selected based on their availability and accessibility, rather than their relevance to the research question. These methods may not produce a representative sample, and the data collected may not be sufficient to answer the research question adequately.
Option D is not typically used for qualitative studies as power analysis is used in quantitative research, which requires a large sample size to detect small effects. Qualitative studies aim to understand the nuances and complexities of a phenomenon, and as such, a smaller sample size may be sufficient to achieve the research objectives.

How Is the Number of Subjects for Participation Determined for a Qualitative