Instructions Application Position Paper: Sample Size The Walden University Dissertation Rubric for Chapter 3 includes the following criteria as line item 7: "There is a justification for the number of participants, which is balanced with depth of inquiry---the fewer the participants the deeper the inquiry per individual." Some researchers argue that one can generate meaningful research data only if one has a large sample size. Moreover, a large sample size is required in order to generalize the findings to show the potential for effecting social change. On the other hand, some researchers believe that a small number of participants can generate data that are just as meaningful because the researcher can then plumb the data to greater depths. To prepare for this Application: Read the course text selections on sampling and sample size. Consider the following: Is it better to have a large sample size and not get as in-depth with participants than it is to have a small sample size and go into more depth with participants? Which situation will derive more meaningful data? What are the pros and cons of each choice? Which situation is supported by the literature? Select a position on what sample size is necessary to generate meaningful qualitative data. How would you defend your position? What factors contribute to the sample size you would recommend for your Qualitative Research Plan (Final Project)? What support from the literature would you use to defend your choice? The assignment: QUESTION: Craft a 1- to 2-page position paper in which you defend a position on what sample size is necessary to generate meaningful qualitative data. Conclude your position paper with a proposed sample size and strategy for your Qualitative Research Plan (Final Project). _____________________________________________________________________ Planning the Methodology Introduction You can think of qualitative research like a story. Now that you have devised the plan, it is time for you to consider exactly how that plan will be carried out. Much as a novelist outlines a novel before the writing process and then fleshes out the details of the story, you have outlined the theories that you will employ. The fleshing out will occur as you write the detailed plan for your methodology. A clear methodology will tell your readers the story of the data collection and analysis. Planning a methodology in advance will also help you to anticipate many issues that may come up and to develop alternative or contingency plans in order to make sure that you will be able to answer your research questions. Learning Outcomes By the end of this week, you will be able to: Debate the merits of structured and unstructured methods in qualitative research Defend a position on sample size necessary to produce meaningful qualitative data _____________________________________________________________________ Required Resources Course Text: Qualitative Research Design: An Interactive Approach o Chapter 5, "Methods: What Will You Actually Do?" This chapter will guide you in conducting your research. It provides information about structured and unstructured approaches, negotiating research designs, site and participant selection, making decisions about data collection and analysis, and analyzing qualitative data. Course Text: Qualitative Data Analysis: A Methods Sourcebook o Chapter 2, "Research Design and Management," pp. 30 37 This excerpt from Chapter 2 describes the importance and process of sampling. Course Text: Patton, M. Q. (2015). Qualitative research & evaluation methods (4th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. o Chapter 5, "Designing Qualitative Studies," pp. 264-272, pp. 311-315 Read the sections "Purposeful Sampling" and "Sample Size" from Chapter 5. These excerpts provide sampling strategies and techniques for qualitative research. Research Toolkit Handouts o Walden Dissertation Rubric Available from http://researchcenter.waldenu.edu/ The Dissertation Rubric is a Word document linked in the section for PhD Dissertation Process and Documents. o Walden Qualitative Dissertations This document directs you to dissertations in the Walden Library that use a variety of qualitative approaches and disciplines.

Instructions Application Position Paper: Sample Size The Walden University Dissertation Rubric for Chapter 3 includes the following criteria as line item 7: "There is a justification for the number of participants, which is balanced with depth of inquiry---the fewer the participants the deeper the inquiry per individual." Some researchers argue that one can generate meaningful research data only if one has a large sample size. Moreover, a large sample size is required in order to generalize the findings to show the potential for effecting social change. On the other hand, some researchers believe that a small number of participants can generate data that are just as meaningful because the researcher can then plumb the data to greater depths. To prepare for this Application: Read the course text selections on sampling and sample size. Consider the following: Is it better to have a large sample size and not get as in-depth with participants than it is to have a small sample size and go into more depth with participants? Which situation will derive more meaningful data? What are the pros and cons of each choice? Which situation is supported by the literature? Select a position on what sample size is necessary to generate meaningful qualitative data. How would you defend your position? What factors contribute to the sample size you would recommend for your Qualitative Research Plan (Final Project)? What support from the literature would you use to defend your choice? The assignment: QUESTION: Craft a 1- to 2-page position paper in which you defend a position on what sample size is necessary to generate meaningful qualitative data. Conclude your position paper with a proposed sample size and strategy for your Qualitative Research Plan (Final Project). _____________________________________________________________________ Planning the Methodology Introduction You can think of qualitative research like a story. Now that you have devised the plan, it is time for you to consider exactly how that plan will be carried out. Much as a novelist outlines a novel before the writing process and then fleshes out the details of the story, you have outlined the theories that you will employ. The fleshing out will occur as you write the detailed plan for your methodology. A clear methodology will tell your readers the story of the data collection and analysis. Planning a methodology in advance will also help you to anticipate many issues that may come up and to develop alternative or contingency plans in order to make sure that you will be able to answer your research questions. Learning Outcomes By the end of this week, you will be able to: Debate the merits of structured and unstructured methods in qualitative research Defend a position on sample size necessary to produce meaningful qualitative data _____________________________________________________________________ Required Resources Course Text: Qualitative Research Design: An Interactive Approach o Chapter 5, "Methods: What Will You Actually Do?" This chapter will guide you in conducting your research. It provides information about structured and unstructured approaches, negotiating research designs, site and participant selection, making decisions about data collection and analysis, and analyzing qualitative data. Course Text: Qualitative Data Analysis: A Methods Sourcebook o Chapter 2, "Research Design and Management," pp. 30 37 This excerpt from Chapter 2 describes the importance and process of sampling. Course Text: Patton, M. Q. (2015). Qualitative research & evaluation methods (4th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. o Chapter 5, "Designing Qualitative Studies," pp. 264-272, pp. 311-315 Read the sections "Purposeful Sampling" and "Sample Size" from Chapter 5. These excerpts provide sampling strategies and techniques for qualitative research. Research Toolkit Handouts o Walden Dissertation Rubric Available from http://researchcenter.waldenu.edu/ The Dissertation Rubric is a Word document linked in the section for PhD Dissertation Process and Documents. o Walden Qualitative Dissertations This document directs you to dissertations in the Walden Library that use a variety of qualitative approaches and disciplines.