Population and Sampling

In this study, there are total of 8 respondents (5 international and 3 local respondents) because
the researcher used a descriptive phenomenological design. Phenomenologists tend to rely on
very small samples of participants, typically 10 or fewer. All participants must have experienced
the phenomenon and must be able to articulate what it is like to have lived that experience with
the phenomenon under the study (Polit and Beck 2008). The researchers used non-probability
sampling techniques, specifically snowball sampling, They all have different family
backgrounds, beliefs, practices and viewpoints on the study which is the lived experience of
persons with spina bifida. Snowball sampling is asking early informants to make referrals for
other study respondent or the nominations of others already in the sample (Polit and Beck 2012).
Data saturation was done by the researchers. According to Polit and Beck (2012), data saturation
happens when the researchers are at the point where no new information is obtained.
The inclusion criteria in the study are set as follows:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)

Persons who are aged 18 and above.

Persons who is diagnosed with spina bifida.
They can speak and understand English language.
They must be able to express or articulate the experience they had.