Theoretical sampling

'Theoretical sampling is a term coined by Barney Glaserand Anselm Straussin 1967in the context of social researchto describe the process of choosing new research sitesor research casesto compare with one that has already been studied. It is one of the tools of qualitative research.

The goal of theoretical sampling is not the same as with the probabilisticsampling; the researchers goal is not the representative capture of all possible variations, but to gain a deeper understanding of analysed cases and facilitate the development of analytic frameand conceptsused in his research.

Theoretical sampling can be viewed as a technique of data triangulation: using independent pieces of information to get a better fix on something that is only partially known or understood.

References

• Charles C. Ragin, 'Constructing Social Research: The Unity and Diversity of Method', Pine Forge Press, 1994, ISBN 0803990219

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