نوع مقاله : مقاله مروری
نویسندگان
1 دانشجوی دکتری رشته سنجش و اندازهگیری دانشگاه تهران
2 دانشیار بخش تخصصی پژوهش و سنجش؛ دانشکده روان شناسی و علومتربیتی؛ دانشگاه تهران، تهران، ایران
چکیده
کلیدواژهها
موضوعات
عنوان مقاله [English]
نویسندگان [English]
Background: Qualitative research helps us advance theoretical knowledge and enhance our understanding of complex human phenomena. Saturation is crucial in qualitative medical research as it ensures comprehensive data collection, improving the validity and reliability of findings by confirming that research needs are met. This study aims to identify and introduce saturation-reaching methods in qualitative research.
Method: A systematic review was done following the PRISMA guidelines to achieve this. Articles indexed in Scopus, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect from 2000 to 2024 were identified and retrieved using a combination of keywords: ("theoretical saturation" OR "data saturation" OR "code saturation" OR "inductive saturation" OR "thematic saturation" OR "conceptual saturation" OR "semantic saturation") AND (definition OR meaning OR conceptualization OR types OR "theoretical framework" OR "operationalization" OR criteria) AND ("qualitative research" OR "grounded theory" OR "phenomenology" OR "case study") After applying exclusion criteria, 32 documents were selected for final analysis.
Results: The findings identify and introduce four different types of saturation in qualitative research, including data saturation, thematic saturation, meaning saturation, and theoretical saturation and seven methods for reaching saturation: (1) the ratio of the number of identified themes at a given point of analysis to the total themes found, (2) the application of binomial distributions, (3) employing a predetermined number of semi-structured interviews, (4) using a coding grid table, (5) implementing stopping criteria, (6) utilizing a saturation table, and (7) adopting a comparative method.
Conclusion: In fact, there are so many ways applied by researchers to reach saturation and report it and there is currently no consensus on a unique process of achieving saturation, which results in its application in qualitative research being interpreted in diverse ways. The findings indicate that the common understanding of saturation in qualitative research is incomplete and lacks a standardized methodology. Thus, there is an undeniable need for re-evaluating the methods used to assess and achieve saturation to choose the best way, if there is. Finally, the study provides essential guidelines for researchers in understanding and applying saturation concepts and processes and offers recommendations for peer reviewers on evaluating the quality of saturation reporting.
کلیدواژهها [English]
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