Cited by 1,636Qualitative Research Methods and ApplicationsFocus Groups and Qualitative MethodsQualitative Research Methods and Ethics

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 8 of the 8 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Does Sample Size Matter in Qualitative Research?: A Review of Qualitative Interviews in is Research

Marshall, Bryan, Cardon, Peter, Poddar, Amit, Fontenot, Renee·2013·Journal of Computer Information Systems

DOI 10.1080/08874417.2013.11645667

Open this paper in CoChat — free account

Abstract

This study examines 83 IS qualitative studies in leading IS journals for the following purposes: (a) identifying the extent to which IS qualitative studies employ best practices of justifying sample size; (b) identifying optimal ranges of interviews for various types of qualitative research; and (c) identifying the extent to which cultural factors (such as journal of publication, number of authors, world region) impact sample size of interviews. Little or no rigor for justifying sample size was shown for virtually all of the IS studies in this dataset. Furthermore, the number of interviews conducted for qualitative studies is correlated with cultural factors, implying the subjective nature of sample size in qualitative IS studies. Recommendations are provided for minimally acceptable practices of justifying sample size of interviews in qualitative IS studies.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1080/08874417.2013.11645667

Cites

0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Recomputing p-values needs the paper’s full text.

Claims the paper makes

This paper’s full text isn’t openly available, so its claims and self-check weren’t run. The registry and citation checks still apply.

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?

Handbook of Qualitative Research
Crozier, G., Denzin, N., & Lincoln, Y. (1994) · British Journal of Educational Studies · doi:10.2307/3121684 · Cited by 26,666
The Discovery of Grounded Theory: Strategies for Qualitative Research
Glaser, B. G., & Strauss, A. L. (2017) · Aldine (Routledge reprint) · doi:10.4324/9780203793206 · Cited by 25,789
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
Building Theories from Case Study Research
Eisenhardt, K. M. (1989) · The Academy of Management Review · doi:10.2307/258557 · Cited by 17,455
Case Study Research
Hartley, J. (2004) · Essential Guide to Qualitative Methods in Organizational Research · doi:10.4135/9781446280119.n26 · Cited by 15,461
Sample size in qualitative research
Sandelowski, M. (1995) · Research in Nursing & Health · doi:10.1002/nur.4770180211 · Cited by 4,372
The Significance of Saturation
Morse, J. M. (1995) · Qualitative Health Research · doi:10.1177/104973239500500201 · Cited by 2,663
Decentralization in wikipedia governance.
Forte, A., Larco, V., & Bruckman, A. (2009) · Journal of Management Information Systems · doi:10.2753/mis0742-1222260103 · Cited by 300 · cited 1×
“Fort, Larco, and Bruckman [11] stated, “When themes began arising over and over in these interviews, we followed up by recruiting participants who have been involved in particular issues and policies” (p. 54).”
Background

Show all 0 references

Research works printed but not linked: 36

Amin M., 2000, Perspectives in Publishing, 1, 1
10.1177/1468794107085301 · DOI · Paper page
10.1111/j.1365-2575.2007.00250.x · DOI
Charmaz K., 2005, The Sage Handbook of Qualitative Research, 507
Cheek J., 2005, The Sage Handbook of Qualitative Research, 387
Creswell J. W., 2007, Qualitative inquiry & research design: Choosing among five approaches
Denzin N. K., 2005, The Sage Handbook of Qualitative Research, 1
10.2307/30036550 · DOI · Paper page
Garud R., 2005, MIS Quarterly, 29, 9, 10.2307/25148666 · DOI
Glaser B. G., 1967, The Discovery of Grounded Theory.
10.1111/j.1365-2575.2004.00175.x · DOI
Havelka D., 2009, Journal of Computer Information Systems, 50, 106
Huang E. Y., 2009, Journal of Computer Information Systems, 50, 65
10.2307/249133 · DOI
Kaplan B., 2006, Evaluating the organizational impact of healthcare information systems, 30
Kuzel A. J., 1999, Doing Qualitative Research, 33
10.1016/0147-1767(85)90062-8 · DOI · Paper page
Miles M. B., 1994, Qualitative Data Analysis
10.1177/104973200129118183 · DOI
10.1177/1049732302238744 · DOI
10.2307/249422 · DOI
10.2307/249540 · DOI
10.2753/MIS0742-1222220308 · DOI
10.1007/s11135-005-1098-1 · DOI
10.1046/j.1365-2702.2003.00768.x · DOI
Patton M. Q., 2002, Qualitative Research & Evaluation Methods
Richardson L., 2005, The Sage Handbook of Qualitative Research, 959
10.1080/07421222.2000.11518264 · DOI
Strauss A., 1990, Basics of Qualitative Research: Grounded Theory Procedures and Techniques
Subramanian G. H., 2010, Journal of Computer Information Systems, 50, 130
10.2753/MIS0742-1222240101 · DOI
Tan W., 2009, Journal of Computer Information Systems, 50, 1
Thomson S. B., 2010, “Grounded theory — sample size and validity,”
10.1057/ejis.1995.9 · DOI · Paper page
Watson-Manheim M. B., 2007, MIS Quarterly, 31, 267, 10.2307/25148791 · DOI
Yin R., 1994, Case Study Research: Design and Methods

Sorted by citations

Items 601–700 of 1,002

INTERVENTION STRATEGIES USED BY SOCIAL WORKERS IN EMERGENCY CHILD PROTECTION
Hope, J., & van Wyk, C. (2018) · Social work · doi:10.15270/54-4-670 · Cited by 7
Students as Valuable Customers
Wali, A., & Andy-Wali, H. A. (2018) · Paradigm A Management Research Journal · doi:10.1177/0971890718758197 · Cited by 7
“Others recommend that 12 participants were adequate for data saturation using qualitative phenomenology (Brinkmann & Kvale, 2015; Marshall et al., 2013; Saunders & Townsend, 2016).”
Background
Strategies for Accessing Credit by Small and Medium Enterprises
Ogoi, H. J. (2017) · International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences · doi:10.6007/ijarbss/v7-i6/3000 · Cited by 8
Forest Company Dependencies and Impacts on Ecosystem Services: Expert Perceptions from China
Wan, M., D’Amato, D., Toppinen, A., & Rekola, M. (2017) · Forests · doi:10.3390/f8040134 · Cited by 10
“Furthermore, according to previous research, 20 informants are typically considered an acceptable sample size to achieve data saturation [61], especially when the study focuses on well‐defined research questions.”
Background
Prospects and Challenges for Small-Scale Mining Entrepreneurs in South Africa
Mkubukeli, I., & Tengeh, R. (2016) · doi:10.4172/2169-026x.1000202 · Cited by 7
Sustainable Responses to Minimise Recessionary Effects in The Sri Lankan Construction Industry
Perera, T., & Waidyasekara, K. (2015) · doi:10.20469/ijtes.40004-3 · Cited by 7
“A sample of 12 interviewees has been identified by [17] as the point in which the data saturation occurs.”
Background
‘Solving’ as a key course learning outcome (CLO) in postgraduate (PG) management education
Haritas, I., & Harini, K. (2025) · The International Journal of Management Education · doi:10.1016/j.ijme.2025.101225 · Cited by 7
Evaluating generative artificial intelligence adoption in management education using AI–human augmentation and expectation confirmation theory
Kumar, A., Baijal, A., & Kharat, M. (2025) · Journal of International Education in Business · doi:10.1108/jieb-07-2024-0086 · Cited by 6
Cultural ecosystem services of informal green spaces: usage, perception and preference of residents in deprived urban neighbourhoods
Luo, S., Naghibi, M., Patuano, A., & van Leeuwen, E. V. (2026) · Local Environment · doi:10.1080/13549839.2025.2533130 · Cited by 6
“Previous research suggests that for in-depth qualitative studies, thematic saturation—the point at which no new insights emerge—typically occurs between 12 and 24 interviews (Guest et al. 2006; Marshall et al. 2013; Palliwoda and Priess 2021; Sikorska et al. 2020).”
“My Parents’ Expectations Were Overwhelming”: Online Dating Romance Scams Targeting Minors in Iran Through Exploitation of Parental Pressure
Amirkhani, S., Alizadeh, M., Randall, D. W., Stevens, G., & Zytko, D. (2026) · CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems · doi:10.1145/3772318.3791198 · Cited by 5
“…through posts about the study on the Instagram account; an additional five were recruited through personal connections to reach a point of data saturation in analysis while also being sensitive to inherent recruitment barriers and risk of participation for this study population [26, 31, 68, 113].”
Blended learning models in Ugandan higher business education: best practices and lessons learned
Kyambade, M., Kisseka, R., & Namatovu, A. (2025) · Cogent Education · doi:10.1080/2331186x.2025.2545329 · Cited by 9
“Faculty staff were selected based on teaching blended courses, students were enrolled in blended courses in the previous academic year, and instructional designers (administrators) were responsible for curriculum planning, ICT integration and academic policy (Marshall et al., 2013).”
Unveiling the Value of Green Amenities: A Mixed-Methods Analysis of Urban Greenspace Impact on Residential Property Prices Across Riyadh Neighborhoods
Ledraa, T., & Aldubikhi, S. A. (2025) · Buildings · doi:10.3390/buildings15122088 · Cited by 6
The Role of Dentists in Promoting Environmental Awareness and Climate Consciousness for Sustainability
Chanioti, M., Nikolelis, G., Mitsika, I., & Αντωνιάδου, Μ. (2025) · Circular Economy and Sustainability · doi:10.1007/s43615-025-00561-z · Cited by 10
“This limitation is common in similar research [111, 112] but does not diminish the study's value in offering a cost-effective and efficient method to identify trends, correlations, and areas for further investigation.”
Exploring societal perceptions of forests, ecosystem benefits, and restoration. A case study in Sweden, Scotland, Germany, Serbia, Croatia, and Spain
Kazungu, M., & Hunziker, M. (2025) · Journal of Environmental Planning and Management · doi:10.1080/09640568.2025.2490716 · Cited by 6
Participatory Planning and Gamification: Insights from Hungary
Tóbiás, K., & Boros, L. (2025) · Land · doi:10.3390/land14030573 · Cited by 6
Organizational innovations and access to sustainable finance in agriculture: the case of Shea farmers in Ghana
Sannou, R. O., Schneider, C. P., Walz, M., & Guenther, E. (2025) · International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability · doi:10.1080/14735903.2025.2469284 · Cited by 6
“Our sample size is in the upper range of the norm, as defined by Thomson (2002; cited in: Marshall et al., 2013), allowing for greater confidence in our results while also allowing ample time for the focus group discussions.”
Exploring Uncharted Territory: CEOs as Gatekeepers in Utilizing Industrial Platforms Through Data Sharing
Friedrich, L., Leutheuser, V., Mertel, M., & Voigt, K. (2025) · R&D Management · doi:10.1111/radm.12760 · Cited by 6
“Guidelines on the ideal sample size for qualitative research remain ambiguous (Marshall et al. 2013).”
Factors influencing the implementation of integrated screening for HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B for pregnant women in Nepal: A qualitative study
Sabin, L., Haghparast‐Bidgoli, H., Thapaliya, B., Chand, O., Bhattarai, S., Arjyal, A., & Saville, N. M. (2024) · PLOS Global Public Health · doi:10.1371/journal.pgph.0003006 · Cited by 6
“The sample size was determined based on the concept of saturation, according to which data collection continues until no new themes emerge [26].”
Food waste and its causes in higher education cafeterias and canteens: an exploratory study in the province of Santiago (Chile)
Durán-Sandoval, D., Romero, G. D., Barrera-Verdugo, G., & Villarroel-Villarroel, A. (2024) · Journal of Foodservice Business Research · doi:10.1080/15378020.2024.2404740 · Cited by 7
“Marshall et al. (2013) The data from the structured questionnaire survey underwent Microsoft Excel analysis, enabling the computation of descriptive statistics delineating the participants’ characteristics.”
Do two-wheeler riders propel towards autonomous driving? A path-based probabilistic study in Indian context
Datta, S., Sankeerthana, G., & Kadali, B. R. (2024) · Heliyon · doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e35664 · Cited by 6
“Perceived usefulness and ease of using AVs have positive influence on behavioural intention to use Yuen et al. [34] 2020 S. Datta et al. the offline questionnaire [53,54].”
Background
The success elements of humor use in workplace leadership: A proposed framework with cognitive and emotional competencies
Rosenberg, C., Caballero, C. L., Hayley, A., & Walker, A. (2024) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0304650 · Cited by 6
Archaeotourist: A Novel Tourist Type in Heritage Tourism
Erdoğan, H. A., Birsen, A. G., & Bilim, Y. (2024) · Conservation and Management of Archaeological Sites · doi:10.1080/13505033.2024.2416743 · Cited by 6
“Marshall et al. (2013) emphasise that there is no study that has cited qualitative methodologists for an appropriate sample size (Marshall et al. 2013).”
Managing design innovation challenges in a digital environment
Patrício, R., Dias, J., Carella, G., & Gancho, S. (2024) · International Journal of Design Creativity and Innovation · doi:10.1080/21650349.2024.2342325 · Cited by 6
“The respondents were selected by considering at least one team member per group: first come, first served interview until it was found that the data gathered was sufficient for accomplishing the research objectives/questions (Guest et al., 2006; Marshall et al., 2013).”
Background
Proposal for A Model Based on Elements and Digital Transformation Project Management Practices to Support Business Agility
Galvão, G. S., Penha, R., Gonçalves, M. L. D. A., & da Silva, L. F. (2024) · Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental · doi:10.24857/rgsa.v18n4-095 · Cited by 9
“In qualitative research, the data saturation criterion is reached when the collection of additional data does not generate new information (Marshall et al. , 2013).”
Background
Applying IS-Enabled Telework during COVID-19 Lockdown Periods and Beyond: Insights from Employees in a Greek Banking Institution
Stamos, G., & Kotsopoulos, D. (2024) · Administrative Sciences · doi:10.3390/admsci14020035 · Cited by 8
Mapping the landscape: surf therapy program delivery
Brennan, M., Stain, H. J., & Marshall, J. (2024) · Journal of Outdoor and Environmental Education · doi:10.1007/s42322-023-00152-2 · Cited by 6
Designing Robots for Marketplace Success: A Case Study with Technology for Behavior and Habit Change
Randall, N., & Šabanović, S. (2024) · International Journal of Social Robotics · doi:10.1007/s12369-023-01093-y · Cited by 6
“However, a large coverage of codes (near saturation) can be achieved with fewer inter-views [73, 75, 76], allowing for the discovery of the most salient ideas.”
Rehabilitation of post‐stroke aphasia in Ghana
Kankam, K. S., & Murray, L. L. (2023) · International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders · doi:10.1111/1460-6984.13000 · Cited by 7
“Saturation means sufficient data of the phenomenon have been collected because the collection of additional data adds no new insight (Marshall et al., 2013; Morse et al., 2014).”
Background
What Is Next? The Longer-Term Managerial Challenges following COVID-19
Law, K. K., & Koh, Y. (2023) · Sustainability · doi:10.3390/su151813513 · Cited by 6
Assessment of community park as social interaction place for rural communities: a case study of Peyi Community Bwari Abuja
Adedayo, O., Akingbohungbe, D., Ale, A., Abdullahi, A. P., & Adegoke, M. (2023) · City, Territory and Architecture · doi:10.1186/s40410-023-00208-2 · Cited by 6
“A sample size of 150 was considered adequate for the study as established by Marshall et al. (2013), in determining the sample size the study adopted a stratified random sampling method, as this allowed for the collection of data across different groups of users.”
Method
IMPLEMENTING NEW SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT PRACTICES TO IMPROVE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTIVITY AMID THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Shametova, A., Tazhibekova, K., Biryukov, V., & Mazanova, O. (2023) · Business: Theory and Practice · doi:10.3846/btp.2023.16827 · Cited by 6
“Taking into account the recommendations of modern economic science determining the optimal number of expert interviews in the range from 20 to 30 (Marshall et al., 2013) and the peculiarities of the multi-country approach, the maximum number of the recommended sample, 30 expert interviews (12 for Russia, 10 for Kazakh…”
Background
Wearable technology may assist in reducing jockeys' injuries if integrated into their safety vests: a qualitative study
Gestri, L. G. (2023) · Frontiers in Sports and Active Living · doi:10.3389/fspor.2023.1167110 · Cited by 6
“(32), there are three methods to contribute to the sample size applied in qualitative research and their recommendations are:”
Method
Strategies elementary school children use to influence mothers' food purchasing decisions
Monalisa, N., Frongillo, E., Blake, C., Steck, S., & Dipietro, R. B. (2023) · Maternal and Child Nutrition · doi:10.1111/mcn.13539 · Cited by 6
Newcomers and ‘Roots Migrants’: Chain Migrations and the Revitalization of Rural Shrinking Areas in Spain
Alonso-Pardo, P., Oso, L., & Santaballa, L. (2023) · Journal of International Migration and Integration · doi:10.1007/s12134-023-01036-6 · Cited by 6
“The snowball method (Goodman, 1961) was used until the saturation point was reached (Marshall et al., 2013).”
International financial reporting standards convergence in the Indian context: Insights from practitioners
Uzma, S. (2023) · Journal of Public Affairs · doi:10.1002/pa.2861 · Cited by 6
The nexus between harmful alcohol use and intimate partner violence, a case study
Mathebula, W., Makhubele, J., & Singwane, T. (2022) · International Journal of Research In Business and Social Science · doi:10.20525/ijrbs.v11i9.2199 · Cited by 6
The lived experience of bereaved Iranian families with COVID-19 grief
Abdekhodaie, Z. (2022) · Death Studies · doi:10.1080/07481187.2022.2068698 · Cited by 7
“Data saturation, as the criterion for sample size estimation (Marshall et al., 2013; Saunders et al., 2018), was reached after interviewing 22 participants.”
Background
Implementation of sustainable development principles in mineral and coal mining policy
Syofiarti, S., Rahmadi, T., Warman, K., & Fendri, A. (2021) · Linguistics and Culture Review · doi:10.21744/lingcure.v5ns3.1526 · Cited by 6
“This research uses the statutory approach (Phillippi & Lauderdale, 2018; Marshall et al., 2013; Bengtsson, 2016; Adhabi & Anozie, 2017; Reay, 2014).”
Method
Digital medicines for adherence support: A conceptual framework and qualitative study of adherence among chronically ill patients
Castillo, A. F., Davis, A. L., Fischhoff, B., & Krishnamurti, T. (2021) · Health Informatics Journal · doi:10.1177/14604582211059463 · Cited by 6
Maslow’s theory for preventive healthcare in India – a content analysis approach
Chopra, K. (2021) · International Journal of Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Marketing · doi:10.1108/ijphm-10-2020-0088 · Cited by 6
Public Planner's Perception of the Community Participation in Planning and Operational Decision-Making in Iskandar Malaysia
Zanudin, K., Ngah, I., & Misnan, S. H. (2021) · Engineering Journal · doi:10.4186/ej.2021.25.1.275 · Cited by 6
Post Discharge after Surgery Virtual Care with Remote Automated Monitoring Technology (PVC-RAM): protocol for a randomized controlled trial
McGillion, M., Parlow, J. L., Borges, F., Marcucci, M., Jacka, M., Adili, A., Lalu, M., Yang, H., Patel, A., O’Leary, S., et al. (2021) · CMAJ Open · doi:10.9778/cmajo.20200176 · Cited by 6
Incorporating Harvesters’ Knowledge into an Index of Abundance for Atlantic Halibut in the Northwest Atlantic
Hansell, A. C., Decelles, G., Kersula, M., & Cadrin, S. (2020) · Transactions of the American Fisheries Society · doi:10.1002/tafs.10268 · Cited by 6
Perceptions of commercial hospitality space: The case of a UK university campus hotel
Hay, B. (2020) · Hospitality & Society · doi:10.1386/hosp_00022_1 · Cited by 6
Application of mobile technology in monitoring and evaluation of household water security for Dhaka city
Huq, F. F., Holvoet, N., & Huq, M. (2020) · Technology in Society · doi:10.1016/j.techsoc.2020.101308 · Cited by 9
Beyond palatable: White privilege and Western immigrant restaurateurs in postcolonial Taiwan
Tzeng, R. (2019) · International Area Studies Review · doi:10.1177/2233865918815569 · Cited by 6
“This decision also finds support from Marshall et al. (2013), who argue that interview quality is more important than interview 172 International Area Studies Review 22(2) T ab le 1 .”
Background
Qualitative Perspective on the Learning Health System: How the Community Health Applied Research Network Paved the Way for Research in Safety-Net Settings
Vargas, N., Lebrun-Harris, L. A., Weinberg, J., Dievler, A., & Felix, K. L. (2018) · Progress in Community Health Partnerships Research Education and Action · doi:10.1353/cpr.2018.0057 · Cited by 6
Ascertaining the effectiveness of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in tackling corruptions in Nigeria
Umar, I., Samsudin, R. S., & Mohamed, M. (2018) · Journal of Financial Crime · doi:10.1108/jfc-01-2017-0003 · Cited by 6
Hotel restaurants’ challenges and critical success factors in Klang Valley, Malaysia: the inseparable roles of support centers and revenue streams
Lee, S., Lee, K.-S., Chua, B.-L., & Han, H. (2018) · Journal of Quality Assurance in Hospitality & Tourism · doi:10.1080/1528008x.2018.1483284 · Cited by 6
“Also, findings witnessed the occurrence of data saturation, which denoted that larger sample sizes do not dictate the quality of research results (Marshall et al., 2013).”
Background
A MULTI-SITE CASE STUDY: ALGEBRAIC CONTENT AND PEDAGOGICAL KNOWLEDGE OF SIXTH GRADE MATHEMATICS TEACHERS.
Naseer, M. S. (2018) · International Journal of Advanced Research · doi:10.21474/ijar01/7021
l INTRODUCTION
Guillemette, F., & Berthiaume, M. (2017) · The Voice of the People · doi:10.12987/9780300146707-002 · Cited by 6
Inequality dynamics in the workplace among microbiologists and infectious disease specialists: a qualitative study in five European countries.
Huttner, A., Cacace, M., D'Andrea, L., Skevaki, C., Oțelea, D., Pugliese, F., & Tacconelli, E. (2017) · Clinical Microbiology and Infection · doi:10.1016/j.cmi.2016.09.015 · Cited by 6
“Sampling was thus conducted according to a nonrandom, purposive sampling technique [13,14], so that women's presence was privileged (male informants account for 26.”
Method
Exploring Buyer Motivation to Improve Management, Marketing, Sales, and Finance Practices in the Martial Arts Industry
Thomas, J. E. (2017) · International journal for marketing studies · doi:10.5539/ijms.v9n2p12 · Cited by 6
“Some researchers suggest that 10 or fewer study participants are required to obtain thematic saturation for qualitative studies (Mason, 2010; Robinson 2014), while others recommend 10 to 15 interviewees (Houghton, et al., 2013; Marshall et al., 2013).”
Background
Post-COVID-19 male teachers’ attrition in private schools: Whose fault?
Adewale, S., & Potokri, O. C. (2023) · Social Sciences & Humanities Open · doi:10.1016/j.ssaho.2023.100679 · Cited by 8
A Content Analysis Review of Literature to Create a Useable Framework for Reputation Risk Management
Jones, L. A. (2021) · Advances in logistics, operations, and management science book series · doi:10.4018/978-1-7998-3811-1.ch006 · Cited by 10
Beyond compliance: sustainability reporting challenges and the future of integrated reporting in Indonesia
Suhardjo, I., Akroyd, C., & Suparman, M. (2025) · Asian Review of Accounting · doi:10.1108/ara-06-2024-0190 · Cited by 5
The role of sensory design in creating memorable event experiences
Bolter, J., & Stadler, R. (2025) · International Journal of Event and Festival Management · doi:10.1108/ijefm-01-2025-0004 · Cited by 6
Entrepreneurial thinking in engineering design education: a comparative study of cognitive paradigms with insights from industry and academia
Sandhu, K., Sarkar, P. K., & Subburaj, K. (2025) · Entrepreneurship Education · doi:10.1007/s41959-025-00158-5 · Cited by 9
Motivated Consumer Innovativeness and Sustainable Fashion Choices: A Sequential Explanatory Study
Yadav, N., Dash, G., Sharma, K., & Akmal, S. (2025) · International Journal of Consumer Studies · doi:10.1111/ijcs.70106 · Cited by 5
THE PERCEPTIONS OF THE RESTAURANTS TOWARDS QR CODE MENU ADAPTATION IN THE RESTAURANT SERVICE OPERATION
Öztürk, B., & Ula, P. B. (2025) · International Journal of Gastronomy and Food Science · doi:10.1016/j.ijgfs.2025.101250 · Cited by 5
Driving change: Unravelling the landscapes of ridesharing and ridehailing services in a developing country
Shaikh, A. A., Glavee-Geo, R., Zhakupbekova, G. E., & Turginbayeva, A. N. (2025) · Research in Transportation Business & Management · doi:10.1016/j.rtbm.2025.101351 · Cited by 5
Visualizing invisible information: a scoping review of present findings, challenges and opportunities on tactile graphics design
Rong, A., Edward, N. H., & Li, D. (2025) · Visual Communication · doi:10.1177/14703572241300884 · Cited by 5
Classification of review in green supply chain management for future challenges in methodological, generic, and domain-based review
Islam, M. S., Mamun, M. J. A., Hoque, I., Lim, M. K., Sethanan, K., & Tseng, M.-L. (2025) · International Journal of Logistics Research and Applications · doi:10.1080/13675567.2025.2463475 · Cited by 5
Exploring the adoption of total quality management practices on hospital governance: evidence from Morocco
Msatfa, N., Baidani, A., Chebabe, M., Msatfa, Z., & Hilali, A. (2025) · The TQM Journal · doi:10.1108/tqm-07-2024-0262 · Cited by 5
“Like an Emotional Trash Can”: An Interview Study of Bhutanese School Guidance Counselors’ Perceived Challenges and Resources
Larran, J., & Hein, S. D. (2025) · International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling · doi:10.1007/s10447-025-09594-3 · Cited by 5
“…recommendations for interview-based qualitative studies vary between six (Morse, 1995) and 25 (Creswell & Creswell, 2017) participants to reach saturation, understood as the point at which a data set is considered complete, as indicated by data replication or redundancy (Marshall et al., 2013).”
A qualitative analysis of people who died by suicide and had gambling documented in their coronial file
Reynolds, C. M. E., Cox, G., Lyons, S., McAvoy, H., O’Connor, L., & Kavalidou, K. (2025) · Addictive Behaviors · doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2025.108267 · Cited by 7
Assessing Innovation Capability, Innovation types, and Its Impact on Innovation Performance in FDI Enterprises: Configurational Recipes for Laos
Paovangsa, S., Kamil, M., Aaqil, M., & Xing, K. (2025) · SAGE Open · doi:10.1177/21582440251365311 · Cited by 5
“This sample size ensures representativeness and statistical adequacy for rigorous analysis (Dattalo, 2008; Marshall et al., 2013).”
Evaluating BIM’s Role in Transforming Cash Flow Forecasting Among Construction SMEs: A Saudi Arabian Narrative
Mahboob, A., Rathnasinghe, A. P., Ekanayake, E. M. A. C., & Tennakoon, P. (2024) · Sustainability · doi:10.3390/su162310221 · Cited by 7
Designing for transparency: a web job board for e-recruitment to explore job seekers’ privacy behaviours
Boldi, A., Silacci, A., Rapp, A., & Caon, M. (2024) · Behaviour and Information Technology · doi:10.1080/0144929x.2024.2427111 · Cited by 9
“Regarding the sample size , it is aligned with common practices in qualitative research (Marshall et al. 2013), which tend to involve a small sample to allow for in-depth analysis of each case and support researchers in managing its complexity (Vasileiou et al. 2018; Ritchie, Lewis, and Elam 2003).”
Examining the emergence of new journalistic forms and innovation in the Indian newspaper industry
Das, D., & Upadhyay, A. (2024) · Humanities and Social Sciences Communications · doi:10.1057/s41599-024-04055-5 · Cited by 5
“Data saturation occurs in qualitative studies when the sample size is between 20 and 30 respondents (Marshall et al., 2013).”
Food waste mitigation practices and their barriers in Santiago, Chile’s higher education cafeterias and canteens
Durán-Sandoval, D., Durán-Romero, G., Barrera-Verdugo, G., & Villarroel, A. (2024) · Cogent Food & Agriculture · doi:10.1080/23311932.2024.2417350 · Cited by 5
“This sample size aligns with the typical saturation range of 10–30 interviews, as suggested by Marshall et al. (2013). notably, similar studies on FW estimates causes, and mitigation strategies, such as those by Filimonau and Sulyok (2021) ( n = 18) and Filimonau et al. (2023) ( n = 18) have…”
Gender roles in tourism development in East Nusa Tenggara -Timor Leste border
Nalle, F., & Muljaningsih, S. (2024) · Journal of Sustainable Tourism and Entrepreneurship · doi:10.35912/joste.v6i1.2166 · Cited by 5
“The focus of the literature selection was on thematic relevance, contribution to understanding the influence of gender, and specific geographic context (Marshall, Cardon, Poddar, & Fontenot, 2013).”
Background
Using Grounded Theory Analysis in Construction Management and Civil Engineering Education: Integrating Perspectives to Shape a Comprehensive View of Sustainability
Wang, X., South, A. J., & Farnsworth, C. B. (2024) · International Journal of Construction Education and Research · doi:10.1080/15578771.2024.2404018 · Cited by 5
“Hence, the point of saturation can be achieved at various sample sizes (B. Marshall et al., 2013).”
Liderazgo transaccional y transformacional en la dirección de instituciones educativas mexicanas
Ramírez, L. L., & Llanos, L. (2024) · Revista Universidad y Empresa · doi:10.12804/revistas.urosario.edu.co/empresa/a.13933 · Cited by 5
“En este sentido, al tener una mues-tra de 30 sujetos, se limitaron las pruebas estadísticas a diferencias de medias, que son válidas para este tipo de volumen (Guest et al., 2006; Mason, 2010; Marshall et al., 2013; Hernández & Mendoza, 2018).”
Background
Identifying consumer-based digital content marketing consumption motives: a qualitative study
Gupta, S., & Dutt, R. (2024) · Journal of Advances in Management Research · doi:10.1108/jamr-08-2023-0218 · Cited by 9
Multidisciplinary team meeting Chairs' attitudes and perceived facilitators, barriers and ideal improvements to meeting functionality: A qualitative study
Lamprell, K., Chittajallu, R., Arnolda, G., Easpaig, B. N., Delaney, G. P., Liauw, W., Olver, I., & Braithwaite, J. (2024) · Asia-Pacific Journal of Clinical Oncology · doi:10.1111/ajco.14077 · Cited by 5
The evolution of the trust relationship between the family and its external advisors throughout generations: A family business perspective
Umans, I., Corten, M., & Steijvers, T. (2024) · Managerial and Decision Economics · doi:10.1002/mde.4202 · Cited by 5
Ameliorating the profound gender wage gap in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry among the APEC members: The could and should
Fan, S.-L., Chai, C.-S., Lim, B., Lu, S.-M., & Gui, H.-C. (2024) · Asian Journal of Business Research · doi:10.14707/ajbr.230165 · Cited by 5
“Multiple focus group discussions are a method to gather attitudes, views, values, expectations, and viewpoints, allowing researchers to reach data saturation and develop emergent points (Marshall et al., 2013).”
Exploring the potential of adopting geofence mobile technology in the South African retail sector
Cheruiyot, K., & Moenyane, K. (2024) · Cogent Business & Management · doi:10.1080/23311975.2024.2327126 · Cited by 3
“…where the researchers were no longer able to obtain more additional information from participants (Dworkin, 2012; alsaawi, 2014; guest et al., 2006; Marshall et al., 2013). kuzel (1992) recommends six to eight interviews for a homogeneous sample in qualitative research using in-depth interviews.…”
Reconsidering Network Management Interfaces for Communities
Iitumba, N., Shinde, S., Ortega, D., Bagalkot, N., Verdezoto, N., Manuel, G., Dinesh, T., & Densmore, M. (2023) · African Conference on Human Computer Interaction · doi:10.1145/3628096.3629050 · Cited by 5
“We continued recruiting until we achieved saturation in the responses from the participants [25, 26].”
Method
Identifying the Factors Impacting Bridge Deterioration in the Gulf Cooperation Council
Alrashed, R., Abdelfatah, A., & Yehia, S. (2023) · Designs · doi:10.3390/designs7060126 · Cited by 5
Implementation determinants of HIV Self-Testing among young sexual minority men
Zapata, J. P., Petroll, A. E., Quinn, K. G., Zamantakis, A., & John, S. A. (2023) · Archives of Public Health · doi:10.1186/s13690-023-01126-y · Cited by 5
“Finally, qualitative findings are highly subjective [46, 47].”
Investigating the non-work antecedents of workplace deviance
Farooq, W., Bhatti, O. K., Ishaq, R., & Kashif, S. (2023) · Cogent Business & Management · doi:10.1080/23311975.2023.2171559 · Cited by 5
“Creswell and Creswell (2018) and Marshall et al. (2013) contend that a sample size between 20 and 30 is more than sufficient for qualitative studies based on grounded theory.”
Background
A multilevel selection model for prosocial well-being
Larsen, M., Witoszek, N., & Yeung, J. C. (2023) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1068119 · Cited by 12
“Since we have a relatively large sample size for a qualitative study of this type (Marshall et al., 2013; Schreier, 2018), we choose not to name informants, but to use nationality, gender, and age.”
Background
Joining a migrant caravan: herd behaviour and structural factors
Rosas-Lopez, M. D. L., Guilamo-Ramos, V., & Mora-Rivera, J. (2023) · Third World Quarterly · doi:10.1080/01436597.2023.2176299 · Cited by 5
Continuing professional education experiences and expectations of nurses in Chinese military hospitals: A quantitative and qualitative study.
Ma, H.-J., Zhang, S., Zhu, X., Huang, J., Cheng, Z., & Luo, Y. (2022) · Nurse Education Today · doi:10.1016/j.nedt.2022.105645 · Cited by 5
The role of personality traits in participation in an Online Cancer Community
Badreddine, B. M., Blount, Y., & Quilter, M. (2022) · Aslib Journal of Information Management · doi:10.1108/ajim-05-2022-0242 · Cited by 5
The Integration of Live Video Tools to Help Bystanders During an Emergency Call: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Simulation Study
Morand, O., Larribau, R., Safin, S., Pages, R., Soichet, H., & Rizza, C. (2022) · JMIR Research Protocols · doi:10.2196/40699 · Cited by 5
“We set a minimum threshold of 30 participants in congruence with studies on qualitative methods demonstrating saturation (the absence of contribution of new elements) beyond this number [45,46].”
Effects of a hybrid digital cognitive–behavioural therapy for insomnia and emotion regulation in the workplace (SLEEP): study protocol for a randomised waitlist control trial
Moukhtarian, T. R., Patel, K., Toro, C. T., Russel, S., Daly, G. B. J., Walasek, L., Tang, N. K. Y., & Meyer, C. (2022) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2021-058062 · Cited by 3
The Strength of Local Wisdom Values as a Differentiation Strategy in Creating Sustainable Tourism Competitiveness
Andari, R., I, W., I, G., & Sukawati, T. R. (2022) · Webology · doi:10.14704/web/v19i1/web19269 · Cited by 5
“Explorative research is a research design that has the main goal of providing meaning and understanding of the problems at hand (Marshall et al., 2013).”
Background
The Value of Adult and Community Education and Training to the Empowerment of Rural Women in South Africa
Tawiah, S., & Thusi-Sefatsa, Z. (2022) · Universal Journal of Educational Research · doi:10.13189/ujer.2022.100102 · Cited by 5
“Conditions of the past political era during apartheid before South Africa became a democratic state in 1994 were the cause of many South African citizens, particularly women, without primary education [22].”
Background
English language teachers’ appropriation of tools in the Singapore classrooms: a socio-cultural analysis
Poh, S. K. (2021) · Asia Pacific Journal of Education · doi:10.1080/02188791.2021.1997706 · Cited by 5
FACILITATING CHILDREN’S PARTICIPATION WITHIN MULTIDISCIPLINARY MEETINGS: GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR CHILD AND YOUTH CARE CENTRES
Johannisen, J., van Wyk, C., & Yates, H. (2021) · Social work · doi:10.15270/57-3-953 · Cited by 5
STREET FOOD VENDORS’ HYGIENE AND SANITATION PRACTICE IN JAKARTA STREET FOOD COURTS (PUJASERA)
Harianto, A., & Ardani, E. G. (2021) · Jurnal Ilmu Manajemen · doi:10.31937/manajemen.v13i1.2058 · Cited by 5
“The sample size is not defined, because it is directly related to the concept of saturation which is indicated by data replication or redundancy (Marshall et al., 2013).”
Background
Exploring the motivations to participate in an online brand community: a study of 7–11-year-old children
Thomas, R., White, G. R. T., & Samuel, A. (2021) · European Journal of Marketing · doi:10.1108/ejm-09-2019-0730 · Cited by 5
Problematic customer behaviours and their triggers: the perspective of restaurant employees
Özekici, Y. K., & Unluonen, K. (2021) · doi:10.1108/jhti-12-2020-0244 · Cited by 5
More Than Meets the Eye: How Black and Minority Ethnic Care-Leavers Construct and Make Sense of Their Identity
Lensvelt, I., Hassett, A., & Colbridge, A. K. (2021) · Adolescents · doi:10.3390/adolescents1010004 · Cited by 6
Mixed Reality Technology as a Delivery Mechanism for Psychological Intervention in Adolescents With Asthma: A Qualitative Protocol
Sharrad, K. J., Kopsaftis, Z., Tai, A., Spurrier, N. J., Smith, R., Esterman, A., Gwilt, I., Stallman, H. M., & Carson‐Chahhoud, K. (2021) · International Journal of Qualitative Methods · doi:10.1177/16094069211008333 · Cited by 6
Work volition in women with fibromyalgia: a phenomenological analysis
Lev, M., & Goldner, L. (2020) · Disability and Rehabilitation · doi:10.1080/09638288.2020.1827050 · Cited by 8
“’s [31] recommendation on acceptable sample sizes for single case studies, which differs from the stipulations utilized in Grounded Theory studies and other studies on individuals with FMS [30].”
Method
Development of an Effective System for Selecting Construction Materials for Sustainable Residential Housing in Western Australia
Minhas, M., & Potdar, V. (2020) · doi:10.4236/am.2020.118054 · Cited by 5
“Margin of error: For an inferential statistical analysis, researchers agree a sample size (n) of more than 30 is required to obtain an accurate value [5] [6] [7] [8].”
Background

Authors: Marshall, B., Cardon, P., Poddar, A., & Fontenot, R.
Affiliations: Georgia College & State University (US)
University of Southern California (US)
ORCID: Cardon, Peter
Poddar, Amit
Venue: Journal of Computer Information Systems
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Published: 2013-09
Volume: 54
Issue: 1
Pages: 11-22
ISSN: 0887-4417 (ISSN-L)
2380-2057
DOI: 10.1080/08874417.2013.11645667
OpenAlex: W124963830
Cited by: 1,636
References: 0
Citations by year: 2026: 125 · 2025: 203 · 2024: 204 · 2023: 168 · 2022: 161 · 2021: 192 · 2020: 128 · 2019: 131 · 2018: 105 · 2017: 52 · 2016: 98 · 2015: 62 · 2014: 7
FWCI: 268.21
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Locations: Journal of Computer Information Systems (publishedVersion)
Topics: Social Sciences › Education › Qualitative Research Methods and Applications
Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Focus Groups and Qualitative Methods
Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Qualitative Research Methods and Ethics
Keywords: sample size justification, qualitative interviews, qualitative research rigor, information systems research, number of authors

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

Does Sample Size Matter in Qualitative Research?: A Review of Qualitative Interviews in is Research

Abstract

Overview

Integrity signals

Verification

Claims the paper makes

Claims other papers make about this one

Citations

Cites

Cited by

Metadata

Record

About these checks