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data before, during, and after field data collection. As you can see in the ongoing scenario, before venturing out into the field, researchers must consider how they will manage credibility of the data. As a qualitative researcher, you too will have to address the sources of data as well as your credibility. For this week, you will examine research questions, explore qualitative research design, and consider purposeful sampling and saturation as a qualitative researcher. The answer lies in how clearly you articulate the criteria for selecting data sources; (b) your ability to purposefully select cases; and (c) the extent to which those cases are “information-rich… for in-depth study” (Patton, 2015, p. 264) with respect to the purpose of the study. As you prepare for this week’s Discussion, consider turning your attention to the variety of purposeful sampling strategies you may consider in developing your research plan. Also consider that qualitative researchers seek a threshold or cut-off point for when to stop collecting data. There is no (although there are guidelines). Rather, saturation occurs as an interface between the researcher and the data and (b) between data collection and data analysis to determine when enough is enough. For this Discussion, you will critique a sampling strategy used in a research article. · Review the Guest, Bunce, and Johnson article; the Yob and Brewer article; and the Learning Resources related to sampling and saturation for this week. By Day 3 Prepare a critique of the sampling strategy used by Yob and Brewer (n.d.). In

clude the following your critique: · The purpose of the study · Research questions · Site selection · The type of purposeful sampling strategy the researchers applied. ( Use Table 4.3 in the Ravitch & Carl text or from Patton’s Chapter 5 to identify and describe the strategy that you think best fits what they described.) · An alternative sampling strategy that the researchers could have considered. Explain your choice in terms of how the strategy is consistent with their research purpose and criteria for selecting cases. · Provide a data saturation definition and evaluate the work of the researchers in this article regarding their efforts to achieve data saturation. Note what the researchers could have done differently to convince you that the relevant and important themes emerged. Ravitch, S. M., & Carl, N. M. (2016). . Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. · Chapter 4, “Design and Reflexivity in Data Collection” (pp. 111–144) o Table 4.3, “Purposeful Sampling Strategies” (pp. 129–137) Rubin, H. J., & Rubin, I. S. (2012). (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. · Chapter 3, “Qualitative Data-Gathering Methods and Style” (previously read in Week 3) Ravitch, S. M., & Carl, N. M. (2016). . Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. · Chapter 4, “Design and Reflexivity in Data Collection” (pp. 111–144) o Table 4.3, “Purposeful Sampling Strategies” (pp. 129–137) Rubin, H. J., & Rubin, I. S. (2012). (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. · Chapter 3, “Qualitative Data-Gathering Methods and Style” (previously read in Week 3)