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ERIC Number: EJ1188345
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2018
Pages: 7
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1364-5579
EISSN: N/A
Confounding Issues Related to Determining Sample Size in Qualitative Research
Blaikie, Norman
International Journal of Social Research Methodology, v21 n5 p635-641 2018
The debate on determining sample size in qualitative research is confounded by four fundamental methodological issues: the exclusive focus on theme analysis; the diverse and imprecise use of 'qualitative'; a reliance on only two logics of inquiry, "induction" and "deduction," and the occasional confusion of "abduction" with "induction"; and a general lack of recognition of the importance of differences in ontological assumptions. Embedded in these issues is an unwarranted acceptance of limited associations between certain assumptions, logics, forms of data, and methods of data collection/generation and analysis. What is required is a reformulation of the problem and its discussion with reference to ontological assumptions and logics of inquiry. [This article responds to "Can Sample Size in Qualitative Research Be Determined a Priori?" (EJ1188346).]
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A