ArticlePloS one2020
Applying a mixed methods design to test saturation for qualitative data in health outcomes research.
Article in PloS one, 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 16 papers.
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16 citing papers in PubMed.
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- Real-World Canadian Insights into Pediatric Growth Hormone Deficiency: Perspectives on Daily and Long-Acting Growth Hormone from Patients, Caregivers, and Healthcare Providers.Patient preference and adherence · 2026Article
- To Drink or Not to Drink? Collective Alcohol Consumption Among Young University Students: Mapping a Path Towards Moderation. A Qualitative Study.Nursing open · 2025Article
- "Medical science educator · 2025Article
- Re-viewing the concept of saturation in qualitative research.International journal of nursing studies advances · 2025Review
- Enablers and inhibitors of nursing and midwifery leadership in Pacific Island collectivist cultures.International nursing review · 2025Article
- Integrating Fitness Training in Oncologic Care: Lessons Learned from a Large Telemedicine Trial.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translation · 2024Article
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- Swedish massage as an adjunct approach to Help suppOrt individuals Pregnant after Experiencing a prior Stillbirth (HOPES): a convergent parallel mixed-methods single-arm feasibility trial protocol.Pilot and feasibility studies · 2024Article
- Disposition of improving quality of life in older adults: the case of Lithuania.Aging clinical and experimental research · 2024Article
- An explanatory sequential mixed-methods design to establish thresholds of within-individual meaningful change on a sleep disturbance numerical rating scale score in atopic dermatitis.Quality of life research : an international journal of quality of life aspects of treatment, care and rehabilitation · 2023Article
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- Health, psychosocial, and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on people with chronic conditions in India: a mixed methods study.BMC public health · 2021Article
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3 authors.
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Abstract
Saturation, a core concept in qualitative research, suggests when data collection might end. It is reached when no new relevant information emerges with additional interviews. The aim of this research was to explore whether a mixed methods design could contribute to the demonstration of saturation. Firstly, saturation was conceptualized mathematically using set theory. Secondly, a conversion mixed design was conducted: a set of codes derived from qualitative interviews were quantitized and analyzed using partial least squares (PLS) regression to document whether saturation was reached. A qualitative study conducted by other researchers prior to this work (i.e. none of the present authors was involved in this study) was used to test saturation using PLS regression. This illustrative qualitative study aimed to investigate the impact of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) on nurses' work in the hospital and the results were published elsewhere (Guillemin et al. 2015). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 nurses. Saturation was characterized by the cumulative percentage of variability accounted for by PLS factors. After 12 interviews, this percentage was 51% which suggests that saturation was achieved at least on main themes. Two main themes identifying similarities in the experience of nurses caring for patients with CDI were identified: Organization/Coordination of the working day and Time-consuming work. Although dependent on the coding of qualitative data, PLS regression of quantitized data from qualitative interviews generated useful information for the determination of saturation.
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