THE PROBLEM OF SAMPLING IN QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

Abstract

Sampling problem can be contextualized as one of selecting a sample adequate for a given research problem. In most qualitative investigations, the problem associated with sampling is ever present and needs to be addressed in order ensure the credibility of research findings and undertakings. It happens to be the case that in most qualitative research, it is either impossible or costly prohibitive to study all cases of a phenomenon depending on the object of one’s research. This situation places limitation on the researcher in which she is compelled to select a certain proportion as the sample of study. The notion of adequate sampling comes into play, in the sense that a sample can be viewed as adequate if and only if the sampling errors that result from the use of the stated sample size is so small as not to nullify conclusions reached by the researcher. Sampling problem may be addressed in a number of ways. That is, to ensure that the sample size for a given study is adequate as well as representative of the universe of research study, the researcher needs to ensure that the sample is adequate so that conclusions drawn from the investigation would not be invalidated as a result of intolerable level of sampling error.

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