Justification for Adopting Qualitative Research Method, Research Approaches, Sampling Strategy, Sample Size, Interview Method, Saturation, and Data Analysis

Abstract

Justifying the adoption of the qualitative research method to satisfy the examiners (for thesis) and reviewers (for journal articles) is a challenging task for researchers in business, management, marketing, tourism, hospitality and albeit in social science domain. The difficulty continues in establishing the justification for selecting qualitative research approaches, sample strategy, sample size, data collection methods (i.e. interview methods), saturation, and data analysis. In this guide, we aim to ground brief justifications for researchers and guidance on how to justify the section of qualitative research method in thesis and journal articles. This study also provides brief justification on selecting specific qualitative research approaches, sampling strategies, sample size, interviews, and data analysis methods. Furthermore, this study provides a glimpse of justification regarding when and how to reach saturation point in qualitative research. Keywords: Qualitative research method, Research approaches, Sampling strategy, Sample size, Interview method, Saturation, and Qualitative data analysis (QDA)