DEVELOPMENTAL CRISIS IN EARLY ADULTHOOD: A ...
DEVELOPMENTAL CRISIS IN EARLY ADULTHOOD: A ...
DEVELOPMENTAL CRISIS IN EARLY ADULTHOOD: A ...
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ecommended to use a homogenous sample universe; either a “closely defined group”<br />
or “individuals with similar demographic / socio-economic status profiles.” (Smith<br />
and Eatough, 2006, p.329). This then maximises the chance of cross-case<br />
comparison, of common patterns and of generalisation to others within this defined<br />
sample universe. The recommended number of participants in an IPA study is put at<br />
between 1 and 15, with the standard being 6 to 8. More than this number may prevent<br />
adequate attention on each individual, while less will limit the possibility of crosscase<br />
themes emerging.<br />
Finding and selecting the right persons for participation from within a sample<br />
universe requires a flexible set of purposive sampling approaches. Miles and<br />
Huberman list seventeen possible approaches, all of which are valuable for certain<br />
kinds of research problem, and should be chosen/combined in a problem-focused<br />
manner:<br />
1. Maximum variation 2. Politically important cases<br />
3. Homogenous 4. Random purposeful<br />
5. Critical case 6. Stratified purposeful<br />
7. Theory based 8. Criterion sample<br />
9. Confirming or disconfirming case 10. Opportunistic sample<br />
11. Extreme or deviant case 12. Combination or mixed<br />
13. Typical case 14. Snowball or chain<br />
15. Information-rich case 16. Comprehensive<br />
For a full description of these different strategies and their uses, the reader is<br />
directed to Miles and Huberman’s original text (1994, p.28), or for a brief description<br />
to Appendix J. The approaches are not mutually exclusive, so can be used in<br />
conjunction with one another.<br />
In the current composite methodology, all of Miles and Huberman’s purposive<br />
sampling strategies are considered to be valid options, and with the further influence<br />
of IPA, homogeneity of sample universe is emphasised where possible and sample<br />
numbers are maintained within the suggested parameters of 1 to approximately 15.<br />
Data Collection<br />
Qualitative data in the composite method can be gained from any source of<br />
written material, from historical documents to interviews, or observational material<br />
such as field notes. IPA is open to multiple data sources, but specialises in the use of<br />
semi-structured interviews and focus groups, particularly the former. In a recent IPA<br />
sourcebook (Smith and Osborn, 2003), the authors set out protocols for developing<br />
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