Selecting the sample

How to appraise qualitative research

“…We hold the view that qualitative research does not seek to power and a sample size can be as small as one (eg, a single case study) or any number above one (a grounded theory study) providing that it is appropriate and answers the research problem. Shorten and Moorley8 explain that three main types of sampling exist in qualitative research: (1) convenience (2) judgement or (3) theoretical. In the paper , the sample size should be stated and a rationale for how it was decided should be clear.…”

How to appraise quantitative research

“…The participants (the sample) and any randomisation technique used should be identified. The sample size is central in quantitative research, as the findings should be able to be generalised for the wider population 10. The data analysis can be done manually or more complex analyses performed using computer software sometimes with advice of a statistician.…”

Spiritual Distress in Cancer Patients: A Synthesis of Qualitative Studies

“…Qualitative research normally uses non-random samples in order to collect data from participants (Polit and Beck 2014). Our findings suggest, that convenience samping was the most used sampling technique, although it's considered the least rigorous procedure, that does not require much effort and time to conduct, is adequate to these type of studies (Elfil and Negida 2017;Shorten and Moorley 2014).…”