The development of theoretical sampling in practice.
Abstract Problem Theoretical sampling is a key research process within grounded theory. However, whilst methodological texts provide a definition, it is difficult to find examples of how theoretical sampling is undertaken as a study develops. The lack of clear exemplars has caused confusion amongst...
| Published in: | Collegian Vol. 25; no. 5; pp. 561 - 567 |
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| Main Authors: | , , |
| Format: | research Journal Article |
| Published: |
Elsevier B.V.
Oct2018
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| Online Access: | View this record in EBSCOhost |
| fields | @attributes: recordID: 1 pdfLink: plink: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ccm&AN=131884046&site=ehost-live header: @attributes: shortDbName: ccm uiTerm: 131884046 longDbName: CINAHL Complete uiTag: AN controlInfo: bkinfo: dissinfo: jinfo: jid: 13227696 GVV jtl: Collegian issn: 13227696 maglogo: N pubinfo: dt: Oct2018 vid: 25 iid: 5 pid: 467 pub: Elsevier B.V. place: New York, New York artinfo: ui: 131884046 131884046 131884046 10.1016/j.colegn.2018.01.002 131884046 ppf: 561 ppct: 6 formats: tig: atl: The development of theoretical sampling in practice. aug: au: Butler, Ashleigh E. Copnell, Beverley Hall, Helen affil: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Monash University, Victoria, Australia sug: subj: Theory Construction Theoretical Sample Grounded Theory Research, Medical Human Critical Care Child Mortality Bereavement Parental Attitudes Semi-Structured Interview Audiorecording Constant Comparative Method Professional-Family Relations Data Collection Methods Theory-Practice Relationship Australia Intensive Care Units, Pediatric Interview Guides Data Analysis Software Funding Source ab: Abstract Problem Theoretical sampling is a key research process within grounded theory. However, whilst methodological texts provide a definition, it is difficult to find examples of how theoretical sampling is undertaken as a study develops. The lack of clear exemplars has caused confusion amongst researchers, with many grounded theory studies providing no evidence of theoretical sampling. Aim This paper aims to demonstrate the theoretical sampling process as a grounded theory study progresses. Methods A constructivist grounded theory study of bereaved parents’ experiences when their child dies in intensive care is used to illustrate the processes of theoretical sampling. Twenty-six bereaved parents participated in semi-structured, audio-recorded interviews. Data were analysed using constant comparative methods and theoretical memoing, with a theory developed that explained the changing nature of the parent-healthcare provider relationship when a child dies in intensive care. Findings In this study, theoretical sampling necessitated the use of three different data collection techniques: Seeking new data collection sites, adding new interview questions, and sampling for specific participant characteristics. Each technique is discussed in detail and linked to the category and theory development in the exemplar study. Discussion Though there are limitations to describing theoretical sampling processes on paper, clearly documented accounts can help novice researchers become familiar with the techniques involved and appreciate the benefits they bring to overall theory development. Conclusion By providing a clear example of theoretical sampling linked to category and theory development, this paper has demonstrated the real world application of theoretical sampling in practice. pubtype: Academic Journal doctype: research Journal Article ougenre: Article language: English refInfo: holdings: @attributes: islocal: N |
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