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Cited by 223Qualitative Research Methods and ApplicationsQualitative Research Methods and EthicsEducational Research and Methods

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 44 of the 50 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Data Saturation: The Mysterious Step In Grounded Theory Method

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Aldiabat, Khaldoun, Le Navenec, Carole-Lynne·2018·The Qualitative Report
DOI 10.46743/2160-3715/2018.2994
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Abstract

The aim of this paper is to provide a discussion that is broad in both depth and breadth, about the concept of data saturation in Grounded Theory. It is expected that this knowledge will provide a helpful resource for (a) the novice researcher using a Grounded Theory approach, or for (b) graduate students currently enrolled in a qualitative research course, and for (c) instructors who teach or supervise qualitative research projects. The following topics are discussed in this paper: (1) definition of data saturation in Grounded Theory (GT); (2) factors pertaining to data saturation; (3) factors that hinder data saturation; (4) the relationship between theoretical sampling and data saturation; (5) the relationship between constant comparative and data saturation; and (6) illustrative examples of strategies used during data collection to maximize the components of rigor that Yonge and Stewin (1988) described as Credibility, Transferability or Fittingness, Dependability or Auditability, and Confirmability.

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Research works printed but not linked: 6

  1. Aldiabat, K., & Le Navenec, C. (2011a). Philosophical roots of classic grounded theory: Its foundations in symbolic interactionism. The Qualitative Report, 16(4), 1063-1080. Retrieved from http://nsuworks.nova.edu/tqr/vol16/iss4/9
  2. Chenitz, W. (1986). Getting started: The research proposal for a grounded theory study. In W. Chenitz & J. Swanson (Eds.), From practice to grounded theory: Qualitative research in nursing (pp. 39-47). Menlo Park, CA: Addison-Wesley.
  3. Conrad, C., Neumann, A., Haworth, J. G., & Scott, P. (1993). Qualitative research in higher education: Experiencing alternative perspective and approaches. Needham Heights, MA: Ginn Press.
  4. Glaser, B. G. (1969). The constant comparative analysis of qualitative analysis. In G. J. McCall & J. L. Simmons (Eds.), Issues in participant observation: A text and reader (pp. 216- 228). Menlo Park, CA: Addison -Wesley.
  5. Polanyi, M. (1966). The tacit dimension. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.
  6. Wilson, H.S. (1985). Research in Nursing. Menlo Park, Calif. : Addison-Wesley: Addison- Wesley.

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Metadata

Authors
Aldiabat, K., & Le Navenec, C.-L.
Affiliations
  • University of New Brunswick (CA)
  • University of Calgary
Corresponding author
Aldiabat, Khaldoun
ORCID
Aldiabat, Khaldoun
Venue
The Qualitative Report
Publisher
Nova Southeastern University
Published
2018-01-26
ISSN
  • 1052-0147 (ISSN-L)
  • 2160-3715
DOI
10.46743/2160-3715/2018.2994
OpenAlex
W2784411250
Cited by
222
References
50
Citations by year
2026: 32 · 2025: 18 · 2024: 40 · 2023: 23 · 2022: 11 · 2021: 35 · 2020: 44 · 2019: 13 · 2018: 6
FWCI
79.40
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by-nc-sa
Locations
  • The Qualitative Report (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
  • NSUWorks (Nova Southeastern University) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Education › Qualitative Research Methods and Applications
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Qualitative Research Methods and Ethics
  • Social Sciences › Education › Educational Research and Methods
Keywords
data saturation, grounded theory, theoretical sampling, constant comparative method, qualitative research rigor, credibility, transferability, dependability, auditability, confirmability

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