What is "saturation" in qualitative research?

Saturation in qualitative research refers to the point during data collection and analysis where gathering new data ceases to yield significant new insights or themes related to the research questions. It signals that a comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon under investigation has been achieved. Key principles include reaching redundancy in the data, where new iterations confirm existing findings rather than revealing novel dimensions. Its identification is investigator-dependent and involves iterative analysis concurrent with data gathering. Saturation is commonly employed within qualitative approaches like grounded theory and thematic analysis. Necessary conditions involve purposive sampling and researcher reflexivity; its scope applies primarily to the specific study context and participants. Precautions involve avoiding premature claims of saturation and ensuring sufficient depth and breadth to capture diverse perspectives. Achieving saturation justifies stopping data collection, optimizing resource use like time and funding. Its primary value lies in demonstrating the rigor and trustworthiness of the qualitative analysis by showing that the findings adequately represent the collected experiences. It is essential for establishing analytical sufficiency, ensuring the conclusions are well-founded and sufficiently developed within the study's boundaries.