title: [Sampling in qualitative research: a proposal for procedures to detect theoretical saturation].
abstract: A qualitative study's methodological transparency is considered a key factor for achieving its reliability and should be guaranteed by the researchers. Closing the sampling process by saturation is a common approach, but it is rarely made explicit in research reports. Qualitative researchers also commonly experience technical difficulties in objectively identifying saturation. This article proposes a method to organize sample closing by saturation, with a sequence of eight procedural steps for treating and analyzing data collected through open or semi-structured interviews or focus groups. The article aims to help researchers objectively explain how and when saturation occurred and to allow their readers to know how this process occurred.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Rodovia Washington Luís km. 235, São Carlos, SP, Brazil. bruno@ufscar.br
authors.forename: Bruno Jose Barcellos
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Fontanella
authors.forename: Bruna Moretti
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Luchesi
authors.forename: Maria Giovana Borges
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Saidel
authors.forename: Janete
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ricas
authors.forename: Egberto Ribeiro
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Turato
authors.forename: Débora Gusmão
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Melo
mesh_terms: D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000379:methods*; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012107:Research Design; D018401:Sample Size