Dear Hom Nath Chalise hope this link is useful

www.statisticssolutions.com/qualitative-sample-size/

regards

Unlike quantitative approach, there is no specific formula for calculating sample size in qualitative approach. Sample size however does matter in qualitatitve research. Morse (2000) suggested that the following factors should be considered in determining the sample size of qualitative research: the nature of the study topic, quality of the information that a researcher needs, and study design.Sandelowski (1995) proposes this principle: "an adequate sample size in qualitative research is one that permits the deep, case-oriented analysis that is a hallmark of all qualitatitve inquiry, and that results in a new and richly textured understanding of experience."

http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/104973200129118183?cited-by=yesl10%2F1%2F3p10%2F1%2F3

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/nur.4770180211/abstract

Thank you Dr Gabriel for the wonderful explanations and link of some of the resource materials. I wondered when I received a paper for the peer review submitted to one of the high ranking paper in the field of social work where the sample size was on 9 (7 Female and 2 men). Wondered about the results and posted this questions before I write any comments to editor. I may not be the appropriate persons for the review. Sure, I will go through the link you have shared. Thank you.

Hello Hom, similar to what was mentioned above, the sample size for qualitative research is quite dependant on your methodology and the topic itself. For instance, when I was conducting a phenomenological study of doctoral student mothers, I needed to justify the number of participants I included. I located a researcher  that explained that having a minimum of four participants was consistent with some approaches of phenomenology. But for other studies, you would want to locate someone else who has conducted similar research with that number or a research methodologist who has articulated the number that would be useful/important. For the paper you are reviewing, you will be looking for an explanation of why that number was chosen and what the findings suggest (e.g., are they appropriately stated? too grandiose? exploratory?) I'm attaching my dissertation study where I explain the rationale for having four participants in the phenomenological study in case that is useful.

Thesis The Phenomenon of Doctoral Student Motherhood Mothering in A...

Thank you Dr CohenMiller for sharing the important information as well as your dissertation. It really useful to learn more about the sample size of qualitative research.

Concerning the paper you are reviewing, I agree with the points raised by Anna. I would add that as you review the article, judge the sampling strategy based on how the author describes the characteristics of the sample and the relevance of the sample selection to the wider study population. It might also be a good idea to ask if the information gathered from 9 research participants was sufficient to address the research question. Other than that, you may want to check if the study only employed one method of data collection. 

Thank you Dr Garbriel, its really useful information. I am learning a lot !

This information very short but very useful..

Qualitative analyses typically require a smaller sample size the quantitative analyses. Qualitative sample sizes should be large enough to obtain feedback for most or all perceptions. Obtaining most or all of the perceptions will lead to the attainment of saturation. Saturation occurs when adding more participants to the study does not result in additional perspectives or information. Glaser and Strauss (1967) recommend the concept of saturation for achieving an appropriate sample size in qualitative studies. Other guidelines have also been recommended. For an ethnography, Morse (1994) suggests approximately 30 - 50 participants. For grounded theory, Morse (1994) has suggested 30 - 50 interviews, while Creswell (1998) suggests only 20 - 30. And for phenomenological studies, Creswell (1998) recommends five to 25 and Morse (1994) suggests at least six. There are no specific rules when determining an appropriate sample size in qualitative research. Qualitative sample size may best be determined by the time allotted, resources available, and study objectives (Patton, 1990).

http://www.statisticssolutions.com/qualitative-sample-size/

There are no specific rules. Various methods in Qualitative research has its own view about the number of cases/interviews to be done. For example in a case study research design, it may vary from 1-20 or more. When it comes to phenomenology, grounded theory approach, and narrative research, it has been done on the principle of saturation. But in Ethnography, the richness of data is taken into consideration rather than the number of interviews.

The important point is, it is the responsibility of the researcher to ensure whether the collected information has the richness to answer your research questions or not.

Do not jump more than you need, finally you have to fall in the same ground: secret of happiness. Have a great day friends !

Dear Dr Heather Douglas thank you so much for the collaborative answer, its quite useful to me.

Thank you Dr Diana for your supplements.

Dear Hom Nath Chalise hope this link is useful

www.statisticssolutions.com/qualitative-sample-size/

regards

How to determine sample size of a population for a qualitative grounded theory research having two clusters of population 972 and 121 respectively

Dear Hassan Nima , thank you so much for sharing this important attachment.

Sample size was determined based on the prevalence reported from initial study [6] carried out around the country using equation:

• n= Z2 P q/ d2

Where;

n = Minimum number of samples required (sample size)

Z = Standard normal deviate at 95% confidence interval = 1.96

p = Prevalence from initial studies = 72.7% = 0.727Omuemuet al., [6].

d = degree of confidence at = 0.05

q = 1-p = 1 - 0.727 = 0.273

n= 1.962 x 0.727 x 0.273/ 0.052 =304.97 =305

Therefore, minimum sample size for the study is 305.

If we take d= 0.2 as it is pure qualitative study Dharmesh Chandra Sharma