Can sample size in qualitative research be determined a priori?

by Altmetric Debate Can sample size in qualitative research be determined a priori? Julius Sim, Benjamin Saunders, Jackie Waterfield, Tom Kingstone

There has been considerable recent interest in methods of determining sample size for qualitative research a priori, rather than through an adaptive approach such as saturation. Extending previous literature in this area, we identify four distinct approaches to determining sample size in this way: rules of thumb, conceptual models, numerical guidelines derived from empirical studies, and statistical formulae. 

12th July 2019 • comment