Table 1From “Saturation is a decision rule, not a number”
What theoretical entity is actually supposed to achieve saturation?
Table 1What theoretical entity is actually supposed to achieve saturation?
| Stopping object | What it asks | What it does not prove |
|---|---|---|
| Code saturation | Are the relevant topics, categories, or codes appearing? | That their meanings are fully understood |
| Meaning saturation | Has additional data added little conceptual depth, nuance, or explanation? | That every possible code has appeared |
| Theoretical saturation | Has the emerging theoretical account integrated the relevant variation for its purpose? | That the theory is true in every setting |
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Saturation is a decision rule, not a number
Qualitative saturation is a stopping decision, not a universal interview count: match code or meaning to the question and sampling design.
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