PubHawk
BMC Med Res Methodol November 2018 PMID 30463515

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

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Mentions

51
Peak: 5 in Jul 2019
across 4 sources since Apr 2019

Extended reach

48,881
potential audience

Total likes

57

Video views

48

Mentions per month

Apr 2019 – Jul 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter33 posts
  • YouTube8 videos
  • News8 articles
  • Blogs2 articles

AI synopsis

What people are saying

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.

AgreementModerate 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

InterestHigh 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.

EngagementHigh 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.

ImpactModerate 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.

Abstract in brief

  • 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.]
Read the full abstract

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Academy of Research, Design, and Training (ARD@T)
@ARDaTLLC · X

Mülakatlarda örneklem büyüklüğünün gerekçelendirilmesi - inceleme çalışması

Jul 5, 2025 · 15 likes · 2 shares · 5,664 followers View post →
Luke Allen
@drlukeallen · X

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

Jun 15, 2023 · 8 likes · 3 shares · 2,040 followers View post →
Abbie Jordan
@drabbiejordan · X

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

Apr 8, 2021 · 8 likes · 1 share · 1,868 followers View post →
Lucas Seuren
@LucasSeuren · X

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

Oct 2, 2020 · 5 likes · 1 share · 1,208 followers View post →
Julie Barnett
@Julieatselhurst · X

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

May 28, 2021 · 4 likes · 3 shares · 1,141 followers View post →
john broughan
@broughan_john · X

@tylerburgese https://t.co/TsJvbCX8AK

Nov 5, 2021 · 3 likes · 171 followers View post →

All mentions

Mehmet Sahin
@Quadratumn · X

RT @ARDaTLLC: Mülakatlarda örneklem büyüklüğünün gerekçelendirilmesi - inceleme çalışması

Jul 5, 2025 · 2 shares · 195 followers View post →
Academy of Research, Design, and Training (ARD@T)
@ARDaTLLC · X

Mülakatlarda örneklem büyüklüğünün gerekçelendirilmesi - inceleme çalışması

Jul 5, 2025 · 15 likes · 2 shares · 5,664 followers View post →
AP Teacher
@AP_Teaching · X

@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.

Jun 29, 2024 · 1 like · 546 followers View post →
Alyaa Zagzoog, PhD
@AlyaaZagzoog · X

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

May 21, 2024 · 1 like · 11,237 followers View post →
Keith Wilson
@keefer007 · X

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

Oct 5, 2023 · 1 like · 1,219 followers View post →
Koki Kato
@kokikatokk · X

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

Jun 16, 2023 · 3 shares · 343 followers View post →
Dr Kaara Calma
@KaaraCalma · X

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

Jun 15, 2023 · 3 shares · 1,481 followers View post →
Greg Mandell
@gamandell · X

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

Jun 15, 2023 · 3 shares · 187 followers View post →
Luke Allen
@drlukeallen · X

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

Jun 15, 2023 · 8 likes · 3 shares · 2,040 followers View post →
山健斗@UP Life(組織づくりの人)
@yamakentoooo · X

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

May 18, 2023 · 2 likes · 1,735 followers View post →
Celumusa Ndlangamandla
@CelmusaMntungwa · X

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

Mar 27, 2022 · 2 likes · 381 followers View post →
Katia (not always) Mylinka
@MylinkaKatia · X

@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

Feb 6, 2022 · 3,397 followers View post →
Katia (not always) Mylinka
@MylinkaKatia · X

@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

Feb 6, 2022 · 3,397 followers View post →
Dr Lucy Livingston
@Lucy_Livingston · X

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

Nov 26, 2021 · 1 like · 2,053 followers View post →
john broughan
@broughan_john · X

@tylerburgese https://t.co/TsJvbCX8AK

Nov 5, 2021 · 3 likes · 171 followers View post →
Ginny Russell
@RussellGinny · X

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

Aug 30, 2021 · 1 like · 343 followers View post →
Ginny Russell
@RussellGinny · X

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

Jul 21, 2021 · 343 followers View post →
Exploring Diagnosis
@ExDx_UoE · X

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

Jul 17, 2021 · 429 followers View post →
Monique Huysamen
@monique_huy · X

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

May 28, 2021 · 3 shares · 1,070 followers View post →
x
@prsadjt · X

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

May 28, 2021 · 3 shares · 693 followers View post →
Jen Martin
@jenheffa · X

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

May 28, 2021 · 3 shares · 558 followers View post →
Julie Barnett
@Julieatselhurst · X

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

May 28, 2021 · 4 likes · 3 shares · 1,141 followers View post →
Elaine Wainwright
@dr_wainwright · X

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

Apr 9, 2021 · 1 share · 959 followers View post →
Abbie Jordan
@drabbiejordan · X

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

Apr 8, 2021 · 8 likes · 1 share · 1,868 followers View post →
Lucas Seuren
@LucasSeuren · X

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

Oct 2, 2020 · 5 likes · 1 share · 1,208 followers View post →
Abbie Jordan
@drabbiejordan · X

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

Aug 21, 2020 · 2 likes · 1,868 followers View post →
Kirsty Robinson
@KR_dietitian · X

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

Jul 5, 2019 · 5 shares · 1,185 followers View post →
Audrey K Buelo; MPH, PhD
@akbuelo · X

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

Jul 4, 2019 · 5 shares · 308 followers View post →
Dr Nicola Peddie
@N_Peddie · X

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

Jul 4, 2019 · 5 shares · 326 followers View post →
Sumanth
@Evidentsumanth · X

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

Jul 4, 2019 · 5 shares · 177 followers View post →
Tamsyn Hawken PhD
@HealthPsychTam · X

@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

Jul 4, 2019 · 2 likes · 5 shares · 1,045 followers View post →
ARETE-ZOE, LLC
@AreteZoe · X

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

May 14, 2019 · 1 like · 136 followers View post →
BIOCIENCIA
@BIOCIENCIA2013 · X

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

Apr 3, 2019 · 1,020 followers View post →