Qualitative research relies on rich and detailed data, often from a small sample size of one to 15 people, while quantitative research draws on larger samples. Qualitative studies require in-depth interviews and observations, and may focus on a single subject or a small group over a longer period of time.
In qualitative research, the qualitative sample size is the number of subjects in a study. Qualitative research depends on rich and vivid descriptions of people and their words and actions in the studied environment. A qualitative sample size is usually relatively small, ranging from one to 15 people on average. This is different from quantitative research, which is math- and statistical-based research that draws on much larger samples, sometimes as many as 1,000 subjects or more. A quantitative study, for example, might include comprehensive statistics on survey responses from 1,000 subjects asked about their views on religion, while a qualitative study on the same topic might include interviews with just three people.
The main reason a qualitative sample size can be very small is that a qualitative research study depends on the ability to collect rich and detailed data from its subjects. While it may be appropriate, but not necessary, to include a few direct quotes and anecdotes from the subjects in a quantitative study, this type of detail is absolutely essential to qualitative research studies. A qualitative research study, for example, might focus on having in-depth interviews with 10 students and two teachers about why students drop out of a school with a high dropout rate.
Another example of a qualitative study might be more long-term and involve three college students in a teacher education program during their senior year of college and for the first five years of their teaching careers to see how far they have implemented the educational methods they have adopted. they were taught in their university training courses. A study like this would require both detailed observations of teachers’ behavior in the classroom and in-depth interviews with them. The result would be a limited, rather than a generalized conclusion about their use of teaching methods learned in university and their reasons for using or not using them.
There are cases in this type of research where a qualitative sample size of one would be appropriate. A psychology case study, for example, might focus on a client diagnosed with intermittent explosive disorder with whom a doctor worked for a period of time. In this case study, the psychologist might try to help the client improve his anger outbursts and resume a more normal life by experimentally using cognitive strategies and behavioral management techniques. The psychologist working with the client could also act as a qualitative researcher documenting interventions and their success, or otherwise, with this person. A client’s observations and interviews with him or her – and possibly with people closely involved in the patient’s life – could provide the rich and detailed data required by qualitative studies.
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