Characterising and justifying sample size sufficiency in interview-based studies: systematic analysis of qualitative health research over a 15-year period.

Konstantina Vasileiou, Julie Barnett, Susan Thorpe, Terry Young

November 2018 BMC Med Res Methodol

Synopsis of Social media discussions

Several posts illustrate a keen interest in data saturation and sample size justification, with phrases like 'recommend this paper' and 'interesting systematic review,' indicating that users find the research relevant and potentially transformative for qualitative study design. The tone varies from supportive to skeptical, with some posts pointing out the limitations of small samples, highlighting a nuanced engagement with the article's implications.

A
Agreement
 Moderate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge the importance of sample size justification in qualitative research, with some referencing specific concepts like data saturation, indicating general consensus. However, there is some skepticism about small sample sizes, showi

I
Interest
 High level of interest

Posts demonstrate high curiosity and engagement, with citations of the article and related research, reflecting a strong interest in methodological rigor and sample size debates.

E
Engagement
 High engagement

Many contributions go beyond surface comments, referencing academic articles, suggesting deeper engagement with the topic, such as discussions about how researchers justify their sample sizes and the role of saturation.

I
Impact
 Moderate level of impact

The discussions indicate that the publication influences ongoing conversations about research quality and methodology, though there is some critique regarding sample size adequacy, so the perceived impact is moderate.

Social Mentions

YouTube

8 Videos

Twitter

33 Posts

Blogs

2 Articles

News

8 Articles

Metrics

Video Views

48

Total Likes

57

Extended Reach

48,881

Social Features

51

Timeline: Posts about article

Top Social Media Posts

Posts referencing the article

Assessing Sample Size Sufficiency in Qualitative Health Research

Assessing Sample Size Sufficiency in Qualitative Health Research

This video discusses the importance of justifying sample sizes in interview-based qualitative health research, highlighting common issues with inadequate reporting and emphasizing the need for transparency to improve study validity and generalizability.

Medicine RTCL TV

September 3, 2024

14 views

Assessing Sample Size Sufficiency in Interview-Based Studies

Assessing Sample Size Sufficiency in Interview-Based Studies

The study analyzes how researchers justify and discuss sample sizes in qualitative health research based on interviews over a 15-year period, highlighting that justifying sample size is important for study quality but is often poorly reported.

Medicine RTCL TV

January 31, 2023

12 views

Sample Size Justification in Interview-Based Qualitative Health Research

Sample Size Justification in Interview-Based Qualitative Health Research

The study analyzes how researchers justify and discuss sample sizes in qualitative health research based on interviews over a 15-year period, highlighting the importance of transparent sample size justification to enhance study validity and generalizability.

Medicine RTCL TV

July 31, 2023

8 views

Assessment of Sample Size Justification in Qualitative Health Research

Assessment of Sample Size Justification in Qualitative Health Research

This study analyzes how researchers justify sample sizes based on interviews in qualitative health research over 15 years, highlighting the importance of clear justifications for study quality and validity.

Medicine RTCL TV

September 25, 2024

6 views

Justifying Sample Sizes in Interview-Based Qualitative Health Studies

Justifying Sample Sizes in Interview-Based Qualitative Health Studies

Medicine RTCL TV

May 1, 2024

3 views

Justifying Sample Size in Qualitative Health Interview Studies

Justifying Sample Size in Qualitative Health Interview Studies

This study analyzes how researchers justify sample sizes in qualitative health research based on interviews over 15 years, highlighting the importance of transparent and thorough sample size justification to ensure study validity and generalizability.

Medicine RTCL TV

February 3, 2023

3 views

Evaluating Sample Size Justification in Interview-Based Qualitative Research

Evaluating Sample Size Justification in Interview-Based Qualitative Research

This video analyzes how researchers justify and discuss sample sizes in qualitative health research based on interviews over a 15-year period, highlighting the importance of transparency and thoroughness in sample size reporting.

Medicine RTCL TV

December 30, 2022

2 views

Justifying Sample Sizes in Interview-Based Qualitative Health Research

Justifying Sample Sizes in Interview-Based Qualitative Health Research

This study analyzes how researchers justify and discuss sample sizes in qualitative health research based on interviews over a 15-year period, highlighting that justifying sample size is important for study quality but is often poorly reported.

Medicine RTCL TV

November 28, 2023

2 views

  • Mehmet Sahin
    @Quadratumn (Twitter)

    RT @ARDaTLLC: Mülakatlarda örneklem büyüklüğünün gerekçelendirilmesi - inceleme çalışması
    view full post

    July 5, 2025

    2

  • Academy of Research, Design, and Training (ARD@T)
    @ARDaTLLC (Twitter)

    Mülakatlarda örneklem büyüklüğünün gerekçelendirilmesi - inceleme çalışması
    view full post

    July 5, 2025

    15

    2

  • AP Teacher
    @AP_Teaching (Twitter)

    @J_Wat07 @grahamchatterl2 @AdamHighcliffe @DrSextonGreen @NBartonEd @Missymusician81 And just for good measure, I'll cite that assertion! https://t.co/pZBPf1DFjJ It's about data saturation, not numbers.
    view full post

    June 29, 2024

    1

  • Alyaa Zagzoog, PhD
    @AlyaaZagzoog (Twitter)

    Characterising and justifying sample size sufficiency in interview-based studies: systematic analysis of qualitative health research over a 15-year period (2018) https://t.co/UMAUuuThHl مقالة ناقشت هذا السؤال
    view full post

    May 21, 2024

    1

  • Keith Wilson
    @keefer007 (Twitter)

    Characterising and justifying sample size sufficiency in interview-based studies: systematic analysis of qualitative health research over a 15-year period https://t.co/NAzNpWeB39 #hmieducators
    view full post

    October 5, 2023

    1

  • Koki Kato
    @kokikatokk (Twitter)

    RT @drlukeallen: If you've ever asked; "is the #SampleSize 'big enough' in this this #qualitative study?" Then I heartily recommend this…
    view full post

    June 16, 2023

    3

  • Dr Kaara Calma
    @KaaraCalma (Twitter)

    RT @drlukeallen: If you've ever asked; "is the #SampleSize 'big enough' in this this #qualitative study?" Then I heartily recommend this…
    view full post

    June 15, 2023

    3

  • Greg Mandell
    @gamandell (Twitter)

    RT @drlukeallen: If you've ever asked; "is the #SampleSize 'big enough' in this this #qualitative study?" Then I heartily recommend this…
    view full post

    June 15, 2023

    3

  • Luke Allen
    @drlukeallen (Twitter)

    If you've ever asked; "is the #SampleSize 'big enough' in this this #qualitative study?" Then I heartily recommend this paper: https://t.co/6lTpqnFieg
    view full post

    June 15, 2023

    8

    3

  • 山健斗@UP Life(組織づくりの人)
    @yamakentoooo (Twitter)

    サンプルサイズの十分性の特徴付けと正当化: 15 年間にわたる質的健康調査の系統的分析 質的研究において、必要サンプルサイズを提示することは困難。最も支持されたのは、飽和の原則と現実性の考慮。 質的研究の大きな課題の一つなので、真摯に向き合っていきたい問題。 https://t.co/YJnrDWdcb2
    view full post

    May 18, 2023

    2

  • Celumusa Ndlangamandla
    @CelmusaMntungwa (Twitter)

    Characterising and justifying sample size sufficiency in interview-based studies: systematic analysis of qualitative health research over a 15-year period | BMC Medical Research Methodology | Full Text https://t.co/krcdejxlB5
    view full post

    March 27, 2022

    2

  • Katia (not always) Mylinka
    @MylinkaKatia (Twitter)

    @InnovativeRG A sample size of five hundred is disingenuous because research methodologies show it is not reflective of a good sample size. https://t.co/WSFMozCvdg
    view full post

    February 6, 2022

  • Katia (not always) Mylinka
    @MylinkaKatia (Twitter)

    @DiamondJimLowe @CogitatorOG @halifaxlorraine @LALegault @talk2oleary @tulip_in_march @fordnation @LyleGreg @InnovativeRG Its literally a standard set by the cross section of math and science. Its why i can type sample size and there are academic articles talking about distribution and sampling. https://t.co/WSFMozCvdg
    view full post

    February 6, 2022

  • Dr Lucy Livingston
    @Lucy_Livingston (Twitter)

    @lfoulkesy More about sample size but representativeness does come up a bit https://t.co/DSP0kqjvuQ
    view full post

    November 26, 2021

    1

  • john broughan
    @broughan_john (Twitter)

    @tylerburgese https://t.co/TsJvbCX8AK
    view full post

    November 5, 2021

    3

  • Ginny Russell
    @RussellGinny (Twitter)

    This paper which discusses sample size justification for qualitative research is somewhat eye-opening- could be useful for those designing qualitative research : https://t.co/zEs0kGBW5y
    view full post

    August 30, 2021

    1

  • Ginny Russell
    @RussellGinny (Twitter)

    Really interesting quali research systematic review about justifying samples sizes.. https://t.co/zEs0kGkle0
    view full post

    July 21, 2021

  • Exploring Diagnosis
    @ExDx_UoE (Twitter)

    great article about Quali research sample sizes..https://t.co/mSivUt9wW5
    view full post

    July 17, 2021

  • Monique Huysamen
    @monique_huy (Twitter)

    RT @Julieatselhurst: And here is a review of how researchers reporting analysis of interviews have justified sample size - in 3 health jou…
    view full post

    May 28, 2021

    3

  • x
    @prsadjt (Twitter)

    RT @Julieatselhurst: And here is a review of how researchers reporting analysis of interviews have justified sample size - in 3 health jou…
    view full post

    May 28, 2021

    3

  • Jen Martin
    @jenheffa (Twitter)

    RT @Julieatselhurst: And here is a review of how researchers reporting analysis of interviews have justified sample size - in 3 health jou…
    view full post

    May 28, 2021

    3

  • Julie Barnett
    @Julieatselhurst (Twitter)

    And here is a review of how researchers reporting analysis of interviews have justified sample size - in 3 health journals - might be interesting for some reading this thread: https://t.co/QR7MJMOwJ7 https://t.co/FuQplS6Upg
    view full post

    May 28, 2021

    4

    3

  • Elaine Wainwright
    @dr_wainwright (Twitter)

    RT @drabbiejordan: @DRR_NZ @ginnybraun @drvicclarke Have you looked at this one too? https://t.co/MNxPVE36oF
    view full post

    April 9, 2021

    1

  • Abbie Jordan
    @drabbiejordan (Twitter)

    @DRR_NZ @ginnybraun @drvicclarke Have you looked at this one too? https://t.co/MNxPVE36oF
    view full post

    April 8, 2021

    8

    1

  • Lucas Seuren
    @LucasSeuren (Twitter)

    If somebody has better papers than the ones I've found, happy to read them :) These are a few of the recent studies I've been able to find: https://t.co/KQns3DDG8R https://t.co/o7gyQz4cjm https://t.co/qXyHq3fA1l
    view full post

    October 2, 2020

    5

    1

  • Abbie Jordan
    @drabbiejordan (Twitter)

    @maggieh74 I find this paper useful for this https://t.co/MNxPVE36oF .
    view full post

    August 21, 2020

    2

  • Kirsty Robinson
    @KR_dietitian (Twitter)

    RT @HealthPsychTam: @drvicclarke There's a great, critical paper by @Julieatselhurst et al on these types of issues! "Characterising and j…
    view full post

    July 5, 2019

    5

  • Audrey K Buelo; MPH, PhD
    @akbuelo (Twitter)

    RT @HealthPsychTam: @drvicclarke There's a great, critical paper by @Julieatselhurst et al on these types of issues! "Characterising and j…
    view full post

    July 4, 2019

    5

  • Dr Nicola Peddie
    @N_Peddie (Twitter)

    RT @HealthPsychTam: @drvicclarke There's a great, critical paper by @Julieatselhurst et al on these types of issues! "Characterising and j…
    view full post

    July 4, 2019

    5

  • Sumanth
    @Evidentsumanth (Twitter)

    RT @HealthPsychTam: @drvicclarke There's a great, critical paper by @Julieatselhurst et al on these types of issues! "Characterising and j…
    view full post

    July 4, 2019

    5

  • Tamsyn Hawken PhD
    @HealthPsychTam (Twitter)

    @drvicclarke There's a great, critical paper by @Julieatselhurst et al on these types of issues! "Characterising and justifying sample size sufficiency in interview-based studies: systematic analysis of qualitative health research over a 15-year period" Link: https://t.co/tiGv2pVsRf
    view full post

    July 4, 2019

    2

    5

  • ARETE-ZOE, LLC
    @AreteZoe (Twitter)

    Characterising and justifying sample size sufficiency in interview-based studies: systematic analysis of qualitative health research over a 15-year period https://t.co/yDgiN2jP4G
    view full post

    May 14, 2019

    1

  • BIOCIENCIA
    @BIOCIENCIA2013 (Twitter)

    Characterising and justifying sample size sufficiency in interview-based studies: systematic analysis of qualitative health research over a 15-year period https://t.co/1kprO6Eieg #bmcmedresmethodol
    view full post

    April 3, 2019

Abstract Synopsis

  • The study analyzes how researchers justify and discuss sample sizes in qualitative health research based on interviews over a 15-year period, highlighting that justifying sample size is important for study quality but is often poorly reported.
  • The findings show that most authors do not adequately justify their sample sizes and often rely on the concept of saturation or practical issues, with many samples being small and considered insufficient, raising concerns about the validity and generalizability of results.
  • The authors recommend that researchers be more transparent and thorough when discussing their sample sizes, ensuring these justifications are clear and placed within a broader context to improve research quality.]