Question.4075 - Participant Selection Recall from your previous research classes that creating a sample for a qualitative study is guided by very different principles than for those that guide quantitative study. Resources Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity. Click the weekly resources link to access the resources. WEEKLY RESOURCES To prepare for this Discussion: There are “rules of thumb” that guide each qualitative approach. Review Patton’s chapter on sampling types, and study sampling strategies in research articles on the approach you have chosen. Review the articles on data saturation and theoretical saturation, and consider which criteria you will follow to estimate “how many.” Remember, in qualitative research, one case can be enough. If your phenomenon is complex or you are interested in a range of experiences, then you will need more cases. Reflect on your research problem and question. What are the essential characteristics of participants that you want to recruit? By Day 3 Prepare a Discussion post in which you address the following: Present the most current version of your research question and state the phenomenon of interest. Describe the criteria for inclusion and exclusion. Describe in detail the choices for sample size, data saturation, and theoretical saturation. Justify your choices with citations of research studies that use the same strategy and/or of methodological articles that describe the rationale. Put yourself in the participant’s position, and consider the assurances you would want to hear to ensure that your privacy is respected and that your identity will not be revealed when the study is published. Include those assurances in your invitation. By Day 5 Review all the postings and then reply to a classmate who has chosen the same approach as you. Consider their choices of sample size, criteria for inclusion and exclusion, sample size, saturation strategies, and ethics. What do you agree with? What would you do differently?
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Participant Selection Unlike quantitative studies, qualitative research often employs purposeful sampling, selecting participants who can provide in-depth insights into the studied phenomenon. This approach focuses on data quality over quantity, targeting individuals with specific experiences, characteristics, or perspectives that align with the study’s objectives. Guided by refined research questions, this study will examine adolescents’ descriptions of social media’s influence on their mental health and social interactions and the specific experiences they attribute to positive or negative outcomes. Through carefully defined criteria for participant selection and an emphasis on privacy and confidentiality, this research aims to ensure ethical rigor and meaningful contributions to the field. Refined Research Questions Refining research questions ensures the study is focused, clear, and aligned with its objectives. Well-crafted research questions guide the inquiry by defining the scope of the study and setting the foundation for data collection and analysis. Qualitative research often involves framing open-ended questions that explore participants' experiences, perceptions, or meanings related to the phenomenon under study. Refinement may include narrowing broad questions to focus on specific aspects or adjusting language to reflect the study's exploratory nature. This process enhances the relevance and depth of the research, ultimately contributing to meaningful and actionable findings. For this study, the following research questions will be posed: 1. How do adolescents describe how social media influences their mental health and social behaviors? 2. What specific experiences do adolescents attribute to positive or negative mental health and social outcomes related to social media use? Refined Problem Statement Adolescents are increasingly engaged and possibly unhealthily immersed in social media platforms, which play a central role in their communication, self-expression, and daily interactions. While these platforms offer opportunities for connection and creativity, concerns persist about their potential adverse effects on adolescents’ mental health and social behaviors. Challenges such as heightened anxiety, depression, cyberbullying, and social isolation are often associated with excessive social media use. Despite the growing prevalence of these platforms, there is a limited qualitative understanding of how adolescents perceive and experience the impact of social media on their mental well-being and social interactions. Addressing this gap can provide valuable insights into the ways social media shapes adolescents’ lives, contributing to more informed interventions and support strategies. Criteria for Inclusion and Exclusion The study will include adolescents aged 13–18 years who are active users of at least one social media platform (e.g., Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat) for a minimum of six months, can communicate fluently in the study’s primary language, and provide consent (with parental consent if under 18). Participants must also self-report experiences related to social media’s impact on their mental health or social behaviors. Exclusion criteria include individuals outside the specified age range, those who do not use social media or have discontinued its use for over a year, those with cognitive impairments that hinder communication, individuals or guardians who refuse consent, and adolescents experiencing acute mental health crises that could be exacerbated by discussing the topic. Sample Size The sample size for this qualitative study is anticipated to range between 15 and 20 participants. This range aligns with Creswell and Poth’s (2018) recommendation for phenomenological studies, which typically require 5–25 participants to understand lived experiences deeply. Similarly, Guest, Bunce, and Johnson (2006) note that data saturation—the point at which no new themes or insights emerge—can often be reached with as few as 12 participants in homogenous populations. Using this sample size ensures a balance between collecting rich, detailed data and maintaining feasibility for in-depth analysis. Data Saturation Data saturation will guide the point at which participant recruitment ends. Recruitment will cease once the data analysis reveals redundancy in themes and no new information emerges (Saunders et al., 2018). This approach ensures the study captures a comprehensive understanding of adolescents’ perceptions and experiences with social media while avoiding excessive data collection that could hinder meaningful analysis. Theoretical Saturation Theoretical saturation will also be considered if this study incorporates grounded theory elements to explore emerging patterns and relationships between themes. According to Charmaz (2014), theoretical saturation is achieved when additional data no longer contribute to refining or elaborating the study’s developing categories or concepts. This process ensures that theoretical constructs are well-supported and thoroughly designed based on participants’ lived experiences. These choices are supported by prior studies examining social media and mental health through qualitative methodologies. For instance, a survey by Uhls et al. (2017) exploring adolescents’ social media experiences reached saturation with 18 participants, emphasizing the feasibility of the proposed sample size. This study aims to achieve rigorous and credible results by following these established qualitative research guidelines. Assurances for Participant Privacy and Confidentiality Assurances for participant privacy and confidentiality are necessary in research because they promote trust and enable participants to share sensitive or personal information openly. When individuals are confident that their identity will be protected and their data handled securely, they are more likely to engage honestly, contributing to the study’s depth and validity. Maintaining confidentiality also aligns with ethical research principles, respecting participants’ autonomy and minimizing potential harm (Beskow et al., 2020). Without these assurances, participants may feel vulnerable or reluctant to share, which can compromise the quality of the data collected. Ensuring privacy not only protects participants but also upholds the integrity of the research process. As a participant, I would want to hear clear and detailed assurances about how my privacy and confidentiality will be protected throughout the study. Specifically, I would want to know that: 1. Anonymity: My identity will not be revealed in any part of the study. Any identifying information will be removed or replaced with pseudonyms in the research records, publications, or presentations. 2. Secure Data Storage: The data collected, such as interview recordings and transcripts, will be stored securely (e.g., encrypted digital files or locked cabinets) and accessible only to the research team. 3. Voluntary Participation: Participation is completely voluntary, and I can withdraw from the study at any time without consequences or the need to provide an explanation. 4. Confidential Handling of Responses: My responses will be used solely for research purposes and will not be shared with anyone outside the research team. 5. Ethical Oversight: The study has been reviewed and approved by an ethics review board to ensure it meets stringent privacy and ethical standards. Example Invitation Dear , We are inviting you to participate in a research study exploring adolescents’ experiences with social media and its impact on mental health and social behaviors. Your participation is entirely voluntary, and we want to assure you that your privacy and confidentiality are of utmost importance. · Your identity will remain anonymous, and pseudonyms will replace all identifying information in our records and publications. · All data, including interview recordings and transcripts, will be securely stored and accessed only by the research team. · You can withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without any consequences. · Your responses will remain confidential and will only be used for the purposes of this research. · The study has been reviewed and approved by an ethics review board to ensure compliance with privacy and ethical standards.More Articles From Research
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