Sampling In Qualitative Research

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3.5.1 Sampling According to Saunders, Lewis, & Thornhill (2009) sampling techniques incorporate variety of methods that reduce the amount of data needed to collect, by means of studying only data from a sub-group opposed to all possible cases or elements. Moreover, sampling is appropriate when different constraints to collect data for entire population exist, such as time or resources. Finally, the smaller amount of data means more time and resources left for reaching higher accuracy and detailed analysis. Due to the fact that our study is time limited and the results must be delivered quickly, we have selected the most suitable sampling method that would enable detailed analysis and bring high quality results. The suitability of the sampling…show more content…
However, those identified often mix together two different levels of sampling that are specifically important when considering sampling in qualitative research based on case study design (Bryman, 2012). The first level is sampling of context/cases, where the researcher selects for instance a geographical area if the study is based on a single case or areas for the multiple case study. Since we are conducting single case research we have selected one area. Based on our judgement and evaluation measurements (see figure 1) of all the municipalities in county of Jönköping (population), we believe Nässjö municipality is the most suitable for our study (case/sample). Once the case is selected then the researcher must examine the units within the case, which corresponds to the second level of sampling (Bryman, 2012). Units of analysis might be sites, organizations or people, whereas in our case it is the main actors of the reverse logistics system for textiles. Respondents interviewed were handpicked based on certain criteria that ensure quality and data-richness extracted for the empirical study. Furthermore, since the actors perform different roles and functions in the system the criteria for each of the actor/representative of the actor varies (Table 1:…show more content…
Moreover, it is in line with the adopted interpretivist epistemology, where we bring into focus the significance of understanding the meanings that correspondents ascribe to different phenomena. Consequently, we evaluated and selected one of the two types of qualitative interviews, distinguished by Alan, based on the approach that the researcher takes. The first type is unstructured interview, where questioning is kept in informal style and usually closely corresponds in character to a conversation (Bryman,

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