Author
Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences
Abstract
Introduction: In qualitative research the sampling process is usually determined by the
methodology employed. However, this is not always evident in published qualitative research
papers as many qualitative studies appear not to have a clearly defined methodological
approach. Indeed, pragmatic researches focus on the need to adopt a flexible rather than rigid
approach to application of qualitative methodologies. Therefore, this study was performed to
review previous research to clarify qualitative sampling. Valid articles and books were used in
this review study.
Method: The keywords qualitative research and sampling were searched in Cumulative Index to
Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), ProQuest, PsycINFO, ScienceDirect, Scopus,
and Medline databases.
Results: Although sampling methods in qualitative research are known as purposive sampling,
there is an extensive spectrum of sampling methods such as quota, snowball, theoretical, critical
cases, homogeneity, sequential, criterion, and combination sampling.
Conclusion: The purpose of sampling in qualitative research is not to establish a random or
representative sample draw from a population, but rather to identify specific groups of people,
who either possess characteristics or live experiences relevant to the social phenomenon being
studied. Informants are identified because they will enable the exploration of a particular aspect
of behavior relevant to the research. The benefits of the qualitative approach to health care
research are becoming increasingly recognized by both academics and clinicians. However,
misunderstandings about the philosophical basis and the methodological approach remain. The
process of sampling is one of the principal areas of confusion. Sampling is a very complex issue
in qualitative research. This is due to the many variations of qualitative sampling described in the
literature, and much confusion and overlapping of types of sampling.
Keywords
)