title: [Saturation sampling in qualitative health research: theoretical contributions].
abstract: The transparency and clarity of research reports, emphasizing the data collection stage, are considered important parameters for evaluating the scientific rigor of qualitative studies. The current paper aims to analyze the use of saturation sampling as a methodological concept, frequently employed in descriptions of qualitative studies in various areas of knowledge, particularly in the field of health care. We discuss and confront the following topics: definition of sampling closure by theoretical saturation; difficulties in the acceptance and operationalization of intentional samples (with examples), adequate size of the intentional sample, the significance of valuing what is repeated or the differences contained in the sample reports, inadequate uses of expressions containing the term saturation, and finally possible metaphors for understanding the concept.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, Brasil. bruno.fontanella@uol.com.br
authors.forename: Bruno José Barcellos
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Fontanella
authors.forename: Janete
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ricas
authors.forename: Egberto Ribeiro
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Turato
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000379:methods*; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods*; D005568:Forms and Records Control; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D015588:Observer Variation; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012107:Research Design; D018401:Sample Size; D012494:Sampling Studies