Qualitative Observation and Sampling. Mabior Ayuen, PhD Student. Dr. Patricia Fusch, PhD. Walden University

Transcription

1 Running head: QUALITATIVE OBSERVATION AND SAMPLING 1 Qualitative Observation and Sampling Mabior Ayuen, PhD Student Dr. Patricia Fusch, PhD Walden University April 12, 2015

2 QUALITATIVE OBSERVATION AND SAMPLING 2 Introduction The qualitative research approach demonstrated a type of scientific studies and consisted a number of investigations that including collects evidence and open-ended questions (Creswell, 2013). The qualitative researchers would illustrate the accurate information about the behaviors and social contexts in term of particular populations (Janesick, 2011). In approaching qualitative research method, the researchers would demonstrate the sample from the population that included in-depth methods and relationship effects (Patton, 2002). In quantitative research process, the researchers would examine a number of people in the quantitative study and generalized beyond the empirical research approaches (Noy, 2008). The main purpose of this qualitative research approach is to address the sample size and diversity of the sample population. This article will discuss the following topics including sampling strategy, sample size, recommendation and justification in the qualitative research approach. Sampling Strategy The primary goal of this qualitative sampling strategy is to address the research questions, the time frame of the study and allocated the resources from the population sampled (Marshall et al, 2013). In approaching qualitative methods,

3 QUALITATIVE OBSERVATION AND SAMPLING 3 Patton (2002) illustrated that the sampling strategy demonstrated the qualitative problematic research because the researchers implied the population sampled. In the quantitative methods, the researchers would recognize and focus on the probability and convenience sampling approaches. In the qualitative approach, the qualitative researchers would focus on the selection of individuals and settings either purposeful sampling or criterion-based selection. In fact, there were a number of qualitative sampling strategies that researchers would benefit in the study of sampling strategy approach (Patton, 2002). First, the researchers would focus on the deviant case sampling and demonstrated the manifestations of the phenomenon interests such as notable failures and events (Patton, 2002). The deviant case sampling would describe a number of dropouts in the classroom or significant failures in the qualitative sampling strategy. Second, the researchers would demonstrate the ability to manage convenience sampling that including save money and energy. The convenience sampling would create the same time and effort because it has the lowest credibility to access. Third, the researchers would identify the snowball sampling such as located the abundant information from the participants. The snowball sampling would help to identify the case questions of interest people and collected the precious information from the

4 QUALITATIVE OBSERVATION AND SAMPLING 4 population sampling (Creswell, 2013). Finally, the researchers would bring a number of people with similar experiences and backgrounds such as homogeneous sampling (Creswell, 2013). The same sampling would reduce the variation and help in the sample of all single parents or female and male head of households (Gibbs et al, 2007). Sample Size The purpose of this qualitative sample size is to focus on a number of participants in the research study area within a large population (Creswell, 2013). In qualitative sampling strategy and sample size, the researchers would select the sample population and illustrated the subset of the population in the qualitative studies (Owen & Lewins, 2002). In the quantitative research approach, the researchers would focus and review the following steps. First, the researchers would target the population sampling strategy and separated the sample size from the population. Second, the researchers would create and select the accessibility of population. Third, the researchers would restate the eligibility criteria of the population sampling strategy. Finally, the researchers would outline the sampling strategy plan and recruited the sample population size. In approaching qualitative sampling strategy and sample size, the researchers would demonstrate a number of

5 QUALITATIVE OBSERVATION AND SAMPLING 5 studies and followed the qualitative steps. First, the researchers would generate the sample ideas where the population strategy plan began with a number of sampling cases through quota and snowball sample procedures. Second, the researchers would create a number of sample units based on what the researchers already selected in the qualitative studies. Third, some qualitative researchers believed that the sample size would represent a number of variations on the target population sampling plan. Finally, the researchers illustrated that the sample size would base on the qualitative approach of the sample size study and data collection approach within a large population. In approaching qualitative studies, the goal of this qualitative sample size is to understand the selection of participants in the research study area within a large population (Creswell, 2013 and Patton, 2002). Gibbs et al (2007) and Patton (2002) demonstrated that there were a number of methods the researchers would estimate the sample size based on the data collection methods through an extensive population sampling strategy plan. First, the researchers would select the case study and phenomenology research methods based on one case person upon ten participants. Second, the researchers would define the grounded theory and ethnography research strategies in term of members. Third, the researchers

6 QUALITATIVE OBSERVATION AND SAMPLING 6 would interview the key informants and focus groups approximately 5-30 members. Finally, the researchers would estimate the sample size based on the qualitative methods of the research study and data collection approach. In comparison with, the quantitative research studies would strive the random sampling whereas the qualitative research studies would demonstrate the purposeful sampling in the qualitative sampling and sample size approaches within the population. In qualitative research method, the NVivo is the best-suited teaching tools and would be a useful software for the research methods because a number of documents would be stored in one place (Bazeley, 2007). The researchers believed that NVivo was the best-suited tools used in the computer software to store a variety of documents and data collection (Bazeley, 2007). First, the researchers would demonstrate the qualitative studies through grounded theory and methodological notes. Second, the researchers would identify and explain a number of qualitative approaches such as participant observations and ethnographic field notes. Third, the researchers would organize and analyze data collection through independent qualitative research. Fourth, the researchers would use the NVivo computer software for the qualitative data analysis and theory

7 QUALITATIVE OBSERVATION AND SAMPLING 7 approach. Finally, the researchers would illustrate the case studies and methodological approaches. Recommendation and Justification In qualitative empirical studies, the researchers would recommend and justify through research questions, references, and literature reviews (Creswell, 2013). The qualitative researchers defined the theoretical frameworks and concepts because the researchers would focus on the sampling population and data collection approach (Patton, 2002). In approaching qualitative sampling and sample size, there were a number of level studies to recommend and justify the sample population. First, the case study approach would limit the small sample size population, but it would provide the relevant information about a natural setting. Second, the descriptive study approach would describe the range of activities without furthering exploration. Finally, the case study and narrative methods would collect the essential new information about research questions, a timeline of the study areas, and allocated the resources available. The researchers believed that NVivo was the best-suited tools used in the computer software to store a variety of documents and data collection. First, the researchers would demonstrate the qualitative studies through grounded theory and methodological

8 QUALITATIVE OBSERVATION AND SAMPLING 8 notes. Second, the researchers would identify and explain a number of qualitative approaches such as participant observations and ethnographic field notes. Finally, the researchers would organize and analyze data collection through independent qualitative research. Conclusion The main purpose of this qualitative research plan is to address a number of participants and diversity of the sample population. The qualitative research approach would address and focus on the following topics including sampling strategy, sample size, recommendation, and justification. The qualitative research approach demonstrated a type of scientific studies and consisted a number of investigations that including collects evidence and open-ended questions (Creswell, 2013). The qualitative researchers would obtain the accurate information about the behaviors and social contexts in term of particular populations (Janesick, 2011). In approaching qualitative research method, the researchers would demonstrate the sample from the population that included indepth methods and relationship effects (Patton, 2002). In the quantitative research process, the researchers would examine a number of people in the quantitative study and generalized beyond the empirical research approaches (Noy, 2008).

9 QUALITATIVE OBSERVATION AND SAMPLING 9 References Bazeley, P. (2007). Qualitative data analysis with NVivo. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc. Creswell, J. W. (2013). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc. Gibbs, L., Kealy, M., Willis, K., Green, J., (2007). What have sampling and data collection got to do with good qualitative research? Australian & New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 31(6), doi: /j x Janesick, V. J. (2011). "Stretching" exercises for qualitative researchers (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc. Marshall, B., Cardon, P., Poddar, A., & Fontenot T, R. (2013). Does sample size matter in qualitative research? Journal of Computer Information Systems, 54(1), doi: /j x Noy, C. (2008). Sampling knowledge: The hermeneutics of snowball sampling in qualitative research. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 11(4), doi: / Owen, C., & Lewins, A. (2002). Book reviews. International Journal of Social

10 QUALITATIVE OBSERVATION AND SAMPLING 10 Research Methodology, 5(3), doi: / Patton, M. Q. (2002). Qualitative research and evaluation methods (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc.