3.2.3.2. Initial and Theoretical Sampling

Links to: Ideas; My Dissertation; Abstract; Table of contents; Lists; References; Bibliography; Appendices; Interviews; Coding; Memos; Notes; Categories; Chapter One; Chapter Two; Chapter Three; Chapter Four; Chapter Five; Chapter Six

The initial sampling establishes the criteria for the various parameters of the study at the  “point of departure” (Charmaz 2014 p. 197), to observe, through participants’ experiences, abstract theoretical concepts from existing theories as outlined in section 3.2. above. At this stage, the participants’ implicit meaning is drawn into the front line, for exploration, comparison and discovery of emergent associations between the data studied and theoretical categories from continuous inputs from the literature, leading to new categories for launching new data collection, until no further categories emerge.
See Appendix A for the source of participants, a breakdown of the initial sampling interviewing strategy and a sample of open questions.

Theoretical sampling will thereafter guide through harvesting more data, to refine and strengthen the established categories, by interviewing participants specifically in order to obtain more relevant data about the prior selection of categories and their properties or characteristics, as well as the conceptual relationships among them, until reaching saturation. This happens when the memos reveal no further gaps and weaknesses of, and between the categories under study.
Similar to building a jigsaw puzzle, the utility of theoretical sampling is particularly significant in finding and adding stepping stones on the journey from concepts and categories, through data collection, analysis and interpretation into the chosen theory.