Randomization is a commonly used technique in randomized control trials. I have never heard of using randomization in qualitative research. I think many qualitative researchers might not even like the idea of using randomization in qualitative research. The beauty of qualitative research is to understand or explore a phenomenon from the experiences or perspectives of a purposively selected participants. The use of randomization may result in limiting the in-depth exploration of those experiences or perspectives. Having said that, theoretically it may be possible to select a target population through non-probability sampling techniques and then randomly allocate them on the basis of their demographic characteristics. For example, age groups, ethnic groups and so forth. However, I think this would destroy the purpose of developing a deeper understanding of experiences and will quantify them. Perhaps, it could be possibility in mixed methods designs for enabling data transformation (qualitizing or quantitizing).
Randomization is a commonly used technique in randomized control trials. I have never heard of using randomization in qualitative research. I think many qualitative researchers might not even like the idea of using randomization in qualitative research. The beauty of qualitative research is to understand or explore a phenomenon from the experiences or perspectives of a purposively selected participants. The use of randomization may result in limiting the in-depth exploration of those experiences or perspectives. Having said that, theoretically it may be possible to select a target population through non-probability sampling techniques and then randomly allocate them on the basis of their demographic characteristics. For example, age groups, ethnic groups and so forth. However, I think this would destroy the purpose of developing a deeper understanding of experiences and will quantify them. Perhaps, it could be possibility in mixed methods designs for enabling data transformation (qualitizing or quantitizing).
Random allocation (assigning participants to different conditions) is not the same thing as random sampling (selecting participants from a larger population).
One possible application for random sampling in qualitative research might be a situation with more available participants than you need, so you could select you participants randomly from those available.
I'm having difficulty thinking of a use for random assignment in qualitative research.
You have two good answers there from David L Morgan and Ahtisham Younas
Without repeating what they have already said, I will offer a slightly different answer. I did an element of exploratory qualitative research as part of my doctorate in which I did have to justify case study selections including consideration of randomisation. This was favourably commented on at my viva voce, so I offer it to you in case it is of help. You will find it in the linked these below in Chapter 3.
Thesis An analytical tool to aid the reflective selection of equity...
If it helps, please give it a recommend and/or citation to help its circulation value here on Researchgate.
David L Morgan exactly.... my question is in relation to random sampling (selecting participants from a larger population) ...
Because as you said, this is my case, I have more available participants than need, just as I could select participants randomly from those available ...
And I am not completely convinced that just mentioning in the method "the selection of participants occurred by random sampling, being intentionally invited the public of interest, with spontaneous adherence" ...
makes me feel that something is missing...
I think you should start by stating your eligibility criteria, and then say that within the pool of eligible participants, you use random sampling to select the actual participants.
Dimbath, O., Ernst-Heidenreich, M., & Roche, M. (2018, September). The Practice and Theory of Theoretical Sampling. Methodological Considerations on the Progression of Sampling Decisions. In Forum Qualitative Sozialforschung/Forum: Qualitative Social Research (Vol. 19, No. 3). http://www.qualitative-research.net/index.php/fqs/article/view/2810
Guetterman, T. C. (2015, May). Descriptions of Sampling Practices Within Five Approaches to Qualitative Research in Education and the Health Sciences. In Forum Qualitative Sozialforschung/Forum: Qualitative Social Research (Vol. 16, No. 2). Article Descriptions of Sampling Practices Within Five Approaches to...
and a potentially helpful example: Weiss, A. (2006, May). Comparative research on highly skilled migrants. Can qualitative interviews be used in order to reconstruct a class position?. In Forum Qualitative Sozialforschung/Forum: Qualitative Social Research (Vol. 7, No. 3). Article Comparative Research on Highly Skilled Migrants. Can Qualita...
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Elisabeth Noehammer Wow! Great! Thank you! What good news to know that this seems to make some sense to other colleagues ... Gratitude !!!
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