The DOI matches its Crossref record; 34 of the 34 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Saturation in qualitative research: An evolutionary concept analysis
Open accessAbstract
Background and Aim: Qualitative research plays an important role in improving nursing knowledge. Understanding the concept of saturation is essential to conducting rigorous qualitative research that contributes to evidence-based practice. The purpose of this study is to clarify the concept of saturation in qualitative research. Method: Evolutionary concept analysis was performed. A literature search was conducted using a variety of online databases for the years 2005- 2023. In total, 33 articles and books were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify the attributes, antecedents and consequences of saturation. The validity of the data was obtained by examining the analysis process by two independent researchers. Results: Saturation in qualitative research is a context-dependent, subjective process that requires detailed systematic analysis. Saturation is used in four ways in qualitative research: theoretical saturation, data saturation, code or thematic saturation, and meaning saturation. The antecedents of saturation were classified into two categories: study related factors and researcher related factors. The consequences of saturation were identified as: ensuring credibility and quality in qualitative research and time, energy and budget saving. Conclusion: This concept analysis serves to enhance the understanding of the concept of saturation, thereby offering valuable resources for qualitative researchers. By gaining a profound comprehension of saturation and its various types, researchers can ensure the validity of their studies while also optimizing time and resource allocation by avoiding redundant data collection. Future investigation warranted to elucidate how factors associated with reaching saturation impact estimations sample size.
Overview
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Figures
Verification
Claims the paper makes
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
The source backs part of the claim, not all of it — or backs it for a different population, condition or comparison.
In the citing paper
“The number of participating services in the research was determined by theoretical saturation from the qualitative analyses (25) in which the data collection was concluded when the information started to become redundant or repeated, even with the inclusion of new participants and services, as detected through a floating reading of the transcripts of the conducted interviews and fields diaries.”
From A mindfulness-based intervention for Substance Use Disorder in a Brazilian vulnerable population: a feasibility mixed method study (2024) · cites this paper as [25]
Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
Self-check
Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.
The self-check needs the paper’s full text.
Citations
Cites
Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches
Lewis, S. (2015) · Health Promotion Practice · doi:10.1177/1524839915580941 · Cited by 22,105
How Many Interviews Are Enough?: An Experiment with Data Saturation and Variability
Guest, G., Bunce, A., & Johnson, L. (2006) · Field Methods · doi:10.1177/1525822x05279903 · Cited by 20,808 · cited 10×
“There are several reasons for pseudo-saturation, such as prematurely ending data collection, not exploring different perspectives or contexts, or overlooking important sources of information (Aldiabat & Le Navenec, 2018; Guest et al., 2006; Morse, 2015a).”
BackgroundInfluentialSaturation in qualitative research: exploring its conceptualization and operationalization
Saunders, B., Sim, J., Kingstone, T., Baker, S., Waterfield, J., Bartlam, B., Burroughs, H., & Jinks, C. (2018) · Quality & Quantity · doi:10.1007/s11135-017-0574-8 · Cited by 12,033 · cited 9×
“…still susceptible to false saturation due to the lack of discovery of relationships between codes and obtained themes, and still requires more data for the researcher to fully understand the depth, richness, and complexity of the phenomenon (Hennink et al., 2017; Low, 2019; Saunders et al., 2018).”
BackgroundMethodInfluentialBasics of Qualitative Research: Techniques and Procedures for Developing Grounded Theory
Wuetherick, B. (2010) · Canadian Journal of University Continuing Education · doi:10.21225/d5g01t · Cited by 8,333
(2011) · Cited by 7,157
Sample sizes for saturation in qualitative research: A systematic review of empirical tests
Hennink, M., & Kaiser, B. N. (2022) · Social Science & Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114523 · Cited by 6,311 · cited 10×
“…still susceptible to false saturation due to the lack of discovery of relationships between codes and obtained themes, and still requires more data for the researcher to fully understand the depth, richness, and complexity of the phenomenon (Hennink et al., 2017; Low, 2019; Saunders et al., 2018).”
BackgroundMethodInfluentialBraun, V., & Clarke, V. (2021) · Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health · doi:10.1080/2159676x.2019.1704846 · Cited by 4,776 · cited 3×
“Information redundancy helps conceptualize saturation (Alam, 2021; Braun & Clarke, 2021; Bryman, 2006).”
BackgroundCode Saturation Versus Meaning Saturation: How Many Interviews Are Enough?
Hennink, M. M., Kaiser, B. N., & Marconi, V. C. (2017) · Qualitative Health Research · doi:10.1177/1049732316665344 · Cited by 4,597
Are We There Yet? Data Saturation in Qualitative Research
Fusch, P., & Ness, L. (2015) · The Qualitative Report · doi:10.46743/2160-3715/2015.2281 · Cited by 4,460
Sample size in qualitative research
Sandelowski, M. (1995) · Research in Nursing & Health · doi:10.1002/nur.4770180211 · Cited by 4,372 · cited 1×
“An important aspect of theoretical saturation is that in an iterative process, the researcher simultaneously engages in sampling, data collection, and data analysis (Sandelowski, 1995).”
Background
Research works printed but not linked: 3
- Aldiabat, 2018, Data saturation: The mysterious step in grounded theory methodology, The qualitative report, 23, 245
- Morse, 2015, 25, 587
- Thomson, 2010, Sample size and grounded theory. Thomson, SB (2010), Grounded Theory-Sample Size. Journal of Administration and Governance, 5, 45
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Wutich, A., Beresford, M., & Bernard, H. R. (2024) · International Journal of Qualitative Methods · doi:10.1177/16094069241296206 · Cited by 416
“…size estimation shifted, centering on what “ saturation ” means and how to study it (Aldiabat & Le Navenec, 2018; Daher, 2023; Daniel, 2019; Hennink et al., 2017; Leese et al., 2021; Marshall et al., 2013; Mason, 2010; Naeem et al., 2024; Rahimi, 2024; Saunders et al., 2018; Sebele-Mpofu, 2020).”
Sample Size in Qualitative Research: Moving from Data Saturation to Theoretical Saturation
Lim, W. M. (2025) · Journal of Global Marketing · doi:10.1080/08911762.2025.2590757 · Cited by 84
“…discussions often suffice for code coverage under homogeneity/narrow aims while diversity/ multi-site or meaning/theory goals require larger samples. rahimi and khatooni (2024) • engages in a concept analysis that classifies four models of saturation (code/thematic, data, meaning, theoretical)…”
Ensuring validity and reliability in qualitative research
Noble, H. R., & Smith, J. (2025) · Evidence-Based Nursing · doi:10.1136/ebnurs-2024-104232 · Cited by 44
Ghimire, A., & Qiu, Y. (2025) · Nurse Education in Practice · doi:10.1016/j.nepr.2025.104330 · Cited by 52
Qualitative data analysis: reflections, procedures, and some points for consideration
Dahal, N. (2025) · Frontiers in Research Metrics and Analytics · doi:10.3389/frma.2025.1669578 · Cited by 119
“Data saturation refers to the point at which the collection of additional data no longer adds new information or themes (Rahimi and Khatooni, 2024; Saunders et al., 2018; Yang et al., 2022), so that all data are thoroughly and credibly analyzed.”
Yang, Z. Y., Xu, L., Gao, Y., Zhang, C., & Wang, A. (2025) · International Journal of Nursing Studies · doi:10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2025.105000 · Cited by 37
Roberts, S., Saylor, M. A., Ivynian, S. E., & DiGiacomo, M. L. (2026) · European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing · doi:10.1093/eurjcn/zvag046 · Cited by 62
Workforce agility: a systematic literature review and research agenda
Alviani, D., Hilmiana, H., Widianto, S., & Muizu, W. O. Z. (2024) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1376399 · Cited by 36
Menopause knowledge, attitudes and experiences of women in Saudi Arabia: a qualitative study
AlSwayied, G., Frost, R., & Hamilton, F. L. (2024) · BMC Women s Health · doi:10.1186/s12905-024-03456-7 · Cited by 30
“This concept refers to achieving a deep understanding of the data, a point in the data collection and analysis process where no new information about the meaning of codes or themes emerges [34, 35].”
Unlocking athlete potential: The evolution of coaching strategies through artificial intelligence
Pashaie, S., Mohammadi, S., & Golmohammadi, H. (2024) · Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers Part P Journal of Sports Engineering and Technology · doi:10.1177/17543371241300889 · Cited by 31
Circular economy maturity framework for SMEs
Bandeira, G. L., Ferasso, M., & Tortato, U. (2025) · Resources Conservation & Recycling Advances · doi:10.1016/j.rcradv.2025.200275 · Cited by 17
Ghimire, A., & Neupane, M. S. (2025) · BMC Public Health · doi:10.1186/s12889-025-22700-9 · Cited by 16
Riasat, I., Shah, M. H., & Gonul, M. S. (2025) · Computers · doi:10.3390/computers14040129 · Cited by 14
Kankanamge, A. K. S. U., Erdiaw‐Kwasie, M. O., & Abunyewah, M. (2025) · Business Strategy and the Environment · doi:10.1002/bse.4333 · Cited by 13
Pérez-Barea, J. J. (2025) · Administrative Sciences · doi:10.3390/admsci15020055 · Cited by 13
Basister, M. P., Petersson, J., & Baconguis, R. (2025) · Frontiers in Education · doi:10.3389/feduc.2025.1610749 · Cited by 44
Between duty and despair: the ethical toll of brain drain on Nepalese nurse managers
Ghimire, A., & Neupane, M. S. (2025) · BMC Nursing · doi:10.1186/s12912-025-02878-4 · Cited by 13
“In line with the approach suggested by Rahimi and Khatooni [49], the study aimed for code and thematic saturation rather than data saturation, recognizing participants’ diverse experiences and prioritizing the analysis’s depth and richness.”
Almohanna, A. A. S., Meedya, S., Vlahu‐Gjorgievska, E., & Win, K. T. (2024) · International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction · doi:10.1080/10447318.2024.2394726 · Cited by 11
“However, recent research has indicated that qualitative studies can reach saturation even with small sample sizes (Hennink & Kaiser, 2022; Rahimi & khatooni, 2024).”
Ghimire, A., & Neupane, M. S. (2024) · BMC Nursing · doi:10.1186/s12912-024-02578-5 · Cited by 13
Ghimire, A., & Qiu, Y. (2025) · Nurse Education in Practice · doi:10.1016/j.nepr.2025.104332 · Cited by 11
Building climate resilience: A qualitative exploration of disaster preparedness in nursing education
Ghimire, A., & Ghimire, P. (2025) · Nurse Education Today · doi:10.1016/j.nedt.2025.106791 · Cited by 15
Bautista, J. R., Westendorf, R., & Goth, O. (2025) · Journal of Advanced Nursing · doi:10.1111/jan.70401 · Cited by 11
Gastmans, C., Mertens, E., Palese, A., Keogh, B., Apolloni, F., Wiisak, J., McCabe, C., Dimitriadou, M., Galazzi, A., Igoumenidis, M., et al. (2025) · International Journal of Nursing Studies Advances · doi:10.1016/j.ijnsa.2025.100296 · Cited by 10
Mpofu, F. Y. (2025) · International Journal of Qualitative Methods · doi:10.1177/16094069251348542 · Cited by 20
“Saturation promotes research quality, credibility and saves time as well as costs in qualitative research (Rahimi & Khatooni, 2024).”
Beyond altruism: Exploring the diverse motivations of undergraduate nursing students
Ghimire, A., & Macdonald, K. (2024) · Nurse Education in Practice · doi:10.1016/j.nepr.2024.104234 · Cited by 12
Revitalising historic fabrics: The influence of identity and community belonging
Tilaki, M. J. M., & Farhad, S. (2025) · Geographical Research · doi:10.1111/1745-5871.70018 · Cited by 13
Eltaybani, S., Ali, H. F. M., & Abdelhalim, G. E. (2025) · Nurse Education in Practice · doi:10.1016/j.nepr.2025.104502 · Cited by 9
Romero‐Castillo, R., Garrido-Bueno, M., & Fernández-León, P. (2024) · Nurse Education in Practice · doi:10.1016/j.nepr.2024.104141 · Cited by 8
Damme, A. V., Talrich, F., Crone, M. R., Rijnders, M. E. B., Patil, C. L., Rising, S. S., Abanga, J., Billings, D. L., Hindori‐Mohangoo, A. D., Hindori, M. P., et al. (2024) · Midwifery · doi:10.1016/j.midw.2024.104166 · Cited by 7
Jordan, J. M., Manski-Nankervis, J.-A. E., Read, M., Skinner, T. C., Speight, J., & Holmes‐Truscott, E. (2025) · Diabetic Medicine · doi:10.1111/dme.70027 · Cited by 7
Du, S., Niu, H., Jiang, F., Gong, L., Zheng, S., Cui, Q., Yang, X., He, J., Dai, R., Luo, Q., et al. (2025) · BMC Infectious Diseases · doi:10.1186/s12879-025-11087-y · Cited by 7
Dzingirai, M. (2025) · Journal of Entrepreneurship and Public Policy · doi:10.1108/jepp-09-2024-0167 · Cited by 9
Renganathan, B., Priya, R. S., Kumar, G. R., Thiruvengadam, J., & Senthil, R. (2025) · Infrastructures · doi:10.3390/infrastructures10060127 · Cited by 9
Berners-Lee, W., Cabecinha, M., Bell, J., Phillips, D., Witney, T., Pulford, C. V., Lorencatto, F., Fifer, H., Foster, K., Mohammed, H. P., et al. (2025) · Sexually Transmitted Infections · doi:10.1136/sextrans-2025-056556 · Cited by 7
Kankanamge, A. K. S. U., Erdiaw‐Kwasie, M. O., & Abunyewah, M. (2025) · Acta Psychologica · doi:10.1016/j.actpsy.2025.105376 · Cited by 7
Ethical considerations in the UK-Nepal nurse recruitment: Nepali nurses’ perspectives
Ghimire, A., Qiu, Y., Neupane, M. S., & Ghimire, P. (2025) · Nursing Ethics · doi:10.1177/09697330241305574 · Cited by 7
“In line with the approach advocated by Rahimi and Khatooni, 33 the study aimed for code and thematic saturation rather than data saturation, acknowledging the diverse experiences and perspectives re fl ected in the data.”
The puzzle of innovation and innovation strategies in Kenyan academic libraries
Otike, F. W., Barát, Á. H., & Kiszl, P. (2024) · Digital Library Perspectives · doi:10.1108/dlp-01-2024-0013 · Cited by 6
Tilaki, M. J. M., & Farhad, S. (2024) · Journal of Urban Management · doi:10.1016/j.jum.2024.07.003 · Cited by 7
Ternby, E., Axelssön, O., Malmgren, C. I., & Georgsson, S. (2024) · Journal of Community Genetics · doi:10.1007/s12687-024-00746-3 · Cited by 6
Meherali, S. M., Rehmani, A. I., Ahmad, M., Kauser, S., Scott-Fiddler, P., Pinzon-Hernandez, P., Khan, Z., Flicker, S., Okeke‐Ihejirika, P., Salami, B. O., et al. (2024) · Culture Health & Sexuality · doi:10.1080/13691058.2024.2436677 · Cited by 6
“Data saturation was reached when no new themes were identified (Rahimi and Khatooni 2024).”
Tupetz, A., Frazier, M., O’Regan, A., Knisely, M. R., TumSuden, O., Walker, E., Sununu, C., Glass, O., Miller-Maxwell, A., Staton, C. A., et al. (2025) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0318345 · Cited by 6
“Based on the discussion, it was determined that the data was approaching information saturation regarding the acupuncture treatment experience, meaning no new information arose from the patients’ recount of their experiences [19,20].”
Galway, L. P. (2025) · Environment and Planning E Nature and Space · doi:10.1177/25148486241313355 · Cited by 7
“Data saturation here refers to a point in data collection where the researcher determined that no new data was emerging from interviews that signi fi cantly addressed the research aim (Rahimi and Khatooni, 2024).”
Ghimire, A., & Qiu, Y. (2025) · Policy Politics & Nursing Practice · doi:10.1177/15271544251322493 · Cited by 5
You, S. B., Hirschman, K. B., Stawnychy, M. A., Song, J., Sang, E., Pitcher, K. S., Oh, S., O’Connor, M. L., Garren, P. A., & Bowles, K. H. (2025) · Journal of the American Medical Directors Association · doi:10.1016/j.jamda.2025.105606 · Cited by 6
Naik, B., Damani, A., Ghoshal, A., Nagaraju, S. P., Singhai, P., Ammunje, S. N., Attur, R. P., & Salins, N. S. (2025) · BMC Nephrology · doi:10.1186/s12882-025-04354-2 · Cited by 5
“Interviewees were selected until data saturation was reached, defined as the point where no new themes emerged [15].”
Álvarez‐Aguado, I., Córdova, V. V., Roselló‐Peñaloza, M., Carrasco, F. G., Rivera, F. M.-L., Spencer, H., & Farhang, M. (2025) · Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disability · doi:10.3109/13668250.2025.2544361 · Cited by 5
“The criterion of thematic saturation was guided by established qualitative research standards, particularly those outlined by Rahimi and Khatooni (2024), who defined theoretical saturation as the point at which further data collection no longer contributes new properties, relationships, or depth to…”
Fagundo-Rivera, J., Garrido-Bueno, M., Romero‐Castillo, R., Badillo-Sánchez, N., & Fernández-León, P. (2025) · Learning and Instruction · doi:10.1016/j.learninstruc.2025.102212 · Cited by 8
Adhiambo, H. F., Owidi, E., Okello, P., Coe, M., Shin, M., Oluoch, L. M., Thuo, N. B., Ihaji, V., Kerubo, M. B., Kinyua, A., et al. (2025) · PLOS Global Public Health · doi:10.1371/journal.pgph.0005166 · Cited by 6
“Thematic saturation was achieved with the planned number of participants across categories [35,36].”
Revisiting Small‐Scale Aquaculture ( SSA )
Castillo, L. S., Froehlich, H. E., Wilson, J. R., Gephart, J. A., Aceves‐Bueno, E., & Gaines, S. D. (2025) · Reviews in Aquaculture · doi:10.1111/raq.70110 · Cited by 5
Zhong, J., Zhao, W., & Lai, X. B. (2025) · BMC Palliative Care · doi:10.1186/s12904-025-01924-x · Cited by 6
“However, theoretical saturation [32] may require a larger sample size to fully understand the complex phenomenon of end-of-life communication in contexts of Chinese cultural and social norms.”
Engaging HR managers with the sustainable development goals: toward common-good HRM
Piwowar‐Sulej, K. (2026) · Personnel Review · doi:10.1108/pr-12-2024-1075 · Cited by 10
Mapping Multisensory Migration Research
Nikielska-Sekuła, K. (2025) · Routledge eBooks · doi:10.1080/01419870.2025.2562651 · Cited by 9
“This sample size proved sufficient, as subsequent results largely duplicated previously selected sources, indicating saturation (Rahimi and Khatooni 2024).”
Stamos, G., & Kotsopoulos, D. (2024) · Administrative Sciences · doi:10.3390/admsci14020035 · Cited by 8
Liu, M., Buzzanell, P. M., Li, Y., & Zhou, S. (2024) · Health Communication · doi:10.1080/10410236.2024.2434070 · Cited by 5
“…collected and analyzed data until our research questions were sufficiently answered by the recurring themes, and no new themes, tensions, or relationships among themes emerged with our 13 participants, indicating that we have reached saturation (Lincoln & Guba, 1985; Rahimi & Khatooni, 2024).”
Patient and family member experience of hospital readmission following critical illness
McPeake, J. M., MacTavish, P., Puxty, K. A., Crook, C., & Quasim, T. (2024) · Intensive and Critical Care Nursing · doi:10.1016/j.iccn.2024.103890 · Cited by 5
Understanding the use of sedation boluses in the intensive care unit: A mixed methods study
Vincelette, C., Carrier, F. M., Bilodeau, C., & Chassé, M. (2025) · Intensive and Critical Care Nursing · doi:10.1016/j.iccn.2025.103958 · Cited by 5
The impact of forced electricity rationing on shopping and media consumption
Lappeman, J., Dlamini, S., Zulu, N., Wahl, K., & Cheteni, P. (2025) · International Journal of Emerging Markets · doi:10.1108/ijoem-04-2024-0739 · Cited by 5
Heydarikhayat, N., Ghanbarzehi, N., Darban, F., Kashani, Z. A., & Rohani, C. (2024) · SAGE Open Nursing · doi:10.1177/23779608241286308 · Cited by 5
Resistance intention and its drivers in night market visit failure
Xu, J. B., & Yan, L. (2025) · Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Insights · doi:10.1108/jhti-03-2025-0346 · Cited by 4
Pope, K. L., Paveglio, T. B., & Edgeley, C. M. (2025) · International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction · doi:10.1016/j.ijdrr.2025.105678 · Cited by 4
Ibrahim, M. M., Abdul-Rahaman, F., Sayibu, M. S., Alhassan, D. N., Awudu, R. T., Sisala, I. M., Wuni, A., & Abdulai, A.-M. (2025) · BMC Health Services Research · doi:10.1186/s12913-025-13384-3 · Cited by 4
“Meaning saturation was confirmed when additional interviews failed to produce new insights, depth, or variations in participants’ interpretations of previously identified themes [45, 46].”
DeBusschere, A., Lunney, M., Reid, S., Verdin, N., Love, S., Thompson, S., Nicholas, D. B., Boulton, T., Schick‐Makaroff, K., Jenstad, L. M., et al. (2025) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0333587 · Cited by 4
“To achieve demographic saturation, we reviewed the demographic characteristics of our participants following completion of the focus groups and purposively recruited additional people for individual interviews if key demographic gaps were found [23,24].”
Bjerregaard, M., Axelin, A., Poulsen, I., & Brødsgaard, A. (2025) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2025-105199 · Cited by 4
Mazumder, M. M. M., & Hossain, D. M. (2025) · Pacific Accounting Review · doi:10.1108/par-11-2024-0316 · Cited by 5
Robson, Z. M., Gozho, C. S., & Muzingili, T. (2024) · Cogent Social Sciences · doi:10.1080/23311886.2024.2415527 · Cited by 4
“While this was large for qualitative data due to data saturation (rahimi & Khatooni, 2024), researchers agreed to maintain the sample size in case of further sample attrition during the data collection process.”
Carew, C., Rak, A., Tuckerman, J., Pidd, D., Vasiliadis, S. D., Danchin, M. H., & Kaufman, J. (2025) · Midwifery · doi:10.1016/j.midw.2025.104402 · Cited by 4
Ollerenshaw, A., Robinson, N. J., Chadha, A. S., & Channon, J. (2024) · Smart Agricultural Technology · doi:10.1016/j.atech.2024.100610 · Cited by 4
Richardson, S. J., McRobert, A. P., Vinson, D., Cronin, C., Lee, C. S., & Roberts, S. J. (2024) · Sport Education and Society · doi:10.1080/13573322.2024.2429566 · Cited by 4
“To address potential issues of saturation, particularly given the study’s small sample size, a triangulation of methods was employed to ensure a rich and comprehensive dataset that could effectively address the research question (Mthuli et al., 2022; Rahimi, 2024).”
A thematic analysis of newly qualified doctors’ experiences of burnout
Kilday, C. R. (2025) · BMC Medical Education · doi:10.1186/s12909-025-07076-z · Cited by 5
Place-Based Impact: Accelerating Agri-Technology Adoption in an Evolving ‘Place’
Manning, L., & Grant, J. H. (2025) · Sustainability · doi:10.3390/su17125292 · Cited by 4
Middleton, N. J., Anastasas, K., White, J., Pienaar, C. A., Harvey, J., Bale, T., Wakeling, T., McCarthy, B., Blyth, C. C., Gill, F. J., et al. (2025) · Pediatric Critical Care Medicine · doi:10.1097/pcc.0000000000003770 · Cited by 4
Schettini, G., Lindner, P., Ekström, V., & Johansson, M. (2024) · BMC Health Services Research · doi:10.1186/s12913-024-11304-5 · Cited by 7
“However, thematic saturation [40] was achieved (i.e. no new information between the codes emerged) after 17 interviews, where n = 8 had a problematic use of alcohol, n = 5 of cannabis, and n = 4 of gambling.”
BackgroundMachado, M. P. A., Opaleye, E. S., Bedendo, A., Bowen, S., & Noto, A. R. (2024) · Frontiers in Public Health · doi:10.3389/fpubh.2024.1381489 · Cited by 3
“The number of participating services in the research was determined by theoretical saturation from the qualitative analyses (25) in which the data collection was concluded when the information started to become redundant or repeated, even with the inclusion of new participants and services, as…”
Stubbs, M. A., Sunner, C., Gaviola, M. A., Popoola, T., & Reis, J. (2025) · Death Studies · doi:10.1080/07481187.2025.2513995 · Cited by 3
“Saturation occurs when no new insights or themes emerge with the addition of further participants (Rahimi & Khatooni, 2024).”
The moral labour of food purchase decision-making – an ethnographic study among families in Denmark
Duus, K. S., Tjørnhøj‐Thomsen, T., & Krølner, R. F. (2025) · Appetite · doi:10.1016/j.appet.2025.108234 · Cited by 3
“Study strengths include the large number of participants, yielding a rich data foundation and data saturation (Hennink & Kaiser, 2022; Rahimi & khatooni, 2024).”
Moral distress among family caregivers of people with cancer in palliative care: A qualitative study
Rozo, A., Schneiders, M., Palombit, M. R., Sinski, K. C., do Carmo, R. L. M. L., Garcia, A., Araújo, J. S., Bitencourt, J. V. D. O. V., Dantas, R. A. S., & da Conceição, V. M. (2025) · Canadian Oncology Nursing Journal · doi:10.5737/23688076352361 · Cited by 3
Karnopp, J. R., & Björklund, P. (2025) · Journal of Educational Administration · doi:10.1108/jea-12-2024-0416 · Cited by 5
Kanık, Z. B., Erişkan, S., Soysal, M., & Ömürgönülşen, M. (2025) · OPSEARCH · doi:10.1007/s12597-025-01017-6 · Cited by 3
Barry, K., Fadem, S. J., Hemler, J. R., Howard, J., Mikesell, L., O’Malley, D. M., Hudson, S. V., & Crabtree, B. F. (2025) · Health Expectations · doi:10.1111/hex.70458 · Cited by 3
“Following the analysis meeting for our ninth interview, we determined that the emergent themes were sufficiently robust, and no additional major themes were likely to be identified and thus reached saturation [27].”
Oh, J., Kang, H., Jin, E., Yang, T., Banu, N., & Zhuo, S. (2025) · New Media & Society · doi:10.1177/14614448251378019 · Cited by 5
“Thus, we concluded that both code and content (meaning) saturation (Hennink et al., 2017; Rahimi, 2024) had been achieved with 17 interviews.”
Lin, D., Eaves, D. L., Gibbons, T., Aquino, M. R. J., Edwards, M., Poliakoff, E., Bek, J., & Emerson, J. R. (2025) · Neuropsychological Rehabilitation · doi:10.1080/09602011.2025.2577376 · Cited by 4
“This methodology ensured that the data collected was comprehensive and reflective of the participants’ experiences and perspectives (Rahimi & Khatooni, 2024).”
Challinor, A., Berzins, K. M., Bifarin, O. O., Anderson, N., Xavier, P., Saini, P., Morasae, E. K., & Nathan, R. (2025) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2025-104863 · Cited by 3
Sohail, F. A., Iqbal, M., Malik, M. G. R., & Saeed, S. (2025) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2025-103139 · Cited by 3
Jo, E., & Bae, K. R. (2025) · Current Oncology · doi:10.3390/curroncol32120687 · Cited by 3
“Theoretical saturation was confirmed when no new conceptual insights emerged, consistent with recent methodological guidance [26].”
Webb, S., Ali, N. M., Augustin, Y. S., Hayward, S. E., Deal, A., Crawshaw, A. F., Staines, H. M., Hayes, K., Hargreaves, S., & Krishna, S. (2026) · BMJ Public Health · doi:10.1136/bmjph-2025-003254 · Cited by 3
“The project aims and strategies for recruitment were discussed, and the proposed interview topic guide (online supplemental information S1) was discussed and circulated, and feed-back collected to ensure that it was sensitive to our target population and relevant to the study.”
Ly, A., Dimitropoulos, G., McArthur, B. A., Watt, J., Cullen, E., & Madigan, S. L. (2026) · BMC Public Health · doi:10.1186/s12889-026-26248-0 · Cited by 3
“Additionally, during this stage, AL and JW discussed saturation of codes and themes, noting that there was a consistent repetition of codes and no new themes were emerging [69].”
Expanded Roles and Competency Gaps of Emergency and ICU Nurses During Armed Conflict in Gaza
Abuqamar, M., Alkhatib, A. H., & Dilles, T. (2026) · International Nursing Review · doi:10.1111/inr.70165 · Cited by 3
Flanagan, S., Spurway, C., Jackson, L., Cooper, J. M., Crowe, F. L., Haroon, S. M., Marshall, T., Fitzsimmons, L., Hathaway, E., Nirantharakumar, K., et al. (2026) · Journal of Medical Internet Research · doi:10.2196/87507 · Cited by 3
“Interviews were conducted until data saturation was reached and no new themes were identified [20].”
A scheduling perspective on modular educational systems in Europe
Ruiz-Torrubiano, R., Knopp, S., Krystallidis, A., & Wolf, L. M. (2024) · Heliyon · doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e39694 · Cited by 3
“In general, theoretical saturation was achieved at the interviews, since no additional insights emerged from them, and the conceptual categories were explored in detail and are complete [27,28].”
Taks, N. J. L. M., van Rossum, T. R., Warris, L. T., Reurslag, E. C., & Sadrzadeh, S. (2024) · BMC Medical Education · doi:10.1186/s12909-024-06431-w · Cited by 4
“Data collection ended when thematic saturation was reached, defined as the point at which no new codes or themes emerged from the data [20].”
Maqbali, M. A. H. A. (2024) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-78298-5_3 · Cited by 3
Saretta, M., Alhambra‐Borrás, T., Doñate-Martínez, A., & Ferrer, J. G. (2024) · Social Science & Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.117649 · Cited by 3
Fountouli, A., Raptou, E., Polymeros, K., Tsakiridou, E., & Varzakas, T. H. (2025) · Foods · doi:10.3390/foods14060929 · Cited by 3
“However, a larger number of participants may help researchers better depict behavioural patterns by exploring a greater variety of perceptions and experiences, and also augment the possibilities of accomplishing data saturation [83–86].”
Navigating Life With High‐Grade Glioma: Experiences and Needs of Adolescents and Young Adults
Devaraja, K., Daniels, M., Tsang, D. S., Edelstein, K., Bennett, J., Kanter, C., Mason, W. P., Gupta, A. A., & Avery, J. (2025) · Cancer Medicine · doi:10.1002/cam4.70867 · Cited by 3
Lived Experience of Men with Prostate Cancer in Ireland: A Qualitative Descriptive Study
Mumuni, S., O’Donnell, C., & Doody, O. (2025) · Healthcare · doi:10.3390/healthcare13091049 · Cited by 3
“A total of 11 men participated, with the sample size determined based on the saturation principles (theoretical, data, code/theme and meaning) outlined by Rahimi [31].”
SMMEs’ business mindset on tax compliance in North West: Perceptions and challenges
Myburg, J., & Schutte, D. (2025) · The Southern African Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management · doi:10.4102/sajesbm.v17i1.1085 · Cited by 4
Chen, W., Chung, J. O. K., Lam, K. K. W., & Molassiotis, A. (2025) · Journal of Advanced Nursing · doi:10.1111/jan.70064 · Cited by 3
‘Being a Good Parent’ for Seriously Ill Children in Brazil: A Qualitative Semantic Analysis
Silva‐Rodrigues, F. M., Hinds, P. S., dos Santos, M. R., da Silva, L. T. P., & Bousso, R. S. (2025) · Nursing in Critical Care · doi:10.1111/nicc.70149 · Cited by 3
“Saturation was confirmed when the dataset was sufficiently extensive to capture the full range of parental perspectives [16, 20].”
An exploratory study on a comprehensive set of criteria for facade assessment
Zekri, A., Tarkashvand, A., & Ekhlassi, A. (2024) · Construction Innovation · doi:10.1108/ci-01-2024-0027 · Cited by 3
Metadata
- Authors
- Rahimi, S., & khatooni, M.
- Affiliations
- Qazvin University of Medical Sciences (IR)
- Corresponding author
- Rahimi, Sara
- Venue
- International Journal of Nursing Studies Advances
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2024-06
- Volume
- 6
- Pages
- 100174
- ISSN
- 2666-142X (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC11080421
- OpenAlex
- W4390604507
- Cited by
- 560
- References
- 34
- Citations by year
- 2026: 273 · 2025: 236 · 2024: 51
- FWCI
- 704.99
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- International Journal of Nursing Studies Advances (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Qazvin University of Medical Sciences
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Education › Qualitative Research Methods and Applications
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Qualitative Research Methods and Ethics
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Focus Groups and Qualitative Methods
- Keywords
- saturation, qualitative research, data saturation, theoretical saturation, research credibility, sample size determination, nursing research
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
