PURPOSIVE/THEORETICAL SAMPLING Representative and Random Sampling Purpose = generalization from sample to population Better inferences with homogeneous population strata (e.g., North Shore residents with incomes b/w $75,000-$85,000) Stratification = strata that are more alike contextually Purposive Sampling Begins with the assumption that context is critically important Doesn't assume there's a point at which context can be ignored Each context must be dealt with in its own terms Purposive Sampling Techniques (Purposes of Samplin: Extreme cases -- particularly unusual, troublesome, or enlightening Typical cases -- avoid rejecting info as arising from deviant cases Critical cases -- permit maximum application of information (iffthen) Political cases -- _attract/deflect attention to/from the inquiry Convenience -- save time, effort, resources Maximum Variation -- unique variations in adapting to conditionsGoal of Sampling Maximum information on site, members, and nature and effects of constructions, relations, processes, and products Not after similarities that can be formed into generalizations Want detailed and specific understanding of unique character of context Maximum information as basis for emergent design and grounded theory Verify information collected and analyzed Emergent Sampling Design Use different techniques at different times (as purposes change) Typical cases alert you to need for extreme cases which uncover sensitive issue for which you need political cases Use multiple techniques at same time Typical ESA in an extremely rural area in a crit Selection of Sampling Units Primary Site selected using six techniques, alone or combined, and conceptualized in terms of levels of organization, participation, and/or (political) interest Secondary Sites selected using six techniques, alone or combined, at each level Serial Selection in multiple-site studies: first site studied in relative depth before selecting other sites using six techniques, alone or combined Serial Selection of participants: select and interview/observe some participants before purposively selecting others, based on insights from initial or earlier interviews/observationsSnowball Sampling Continuous participant nominations of similar and different participants, settings, and documents/records Continuous Focusing of Sample At first, everything is relevant (selection bias = different from what you have) As problem emerges, sampling becomes more problem-relevant (select bias = same as per more depth on problem-relevant matters) Redundancy End point, given resource constraints Planning Considerations Initial elements selection: Logical — all stake holding groups across levels of organization, participation, and interest Nominations by elites, gatekeepers, informants Orderly emergence of sample via serial selection, snowballing, problem focusing