I agree that Braun and Clarke do not like saturation, but they do not offer any reasonable alternatives, either. I personally prefer approaches that rely on meaning or theoretical saturation, as described by Monique Hennink (i.e., stopping when no new theoretical insights appear in further interviews). In contrast, Guest's work (or least his earlier work) concentrates on code saturation (i.e., stopping when no new codes appear in further interviews). Answer from David L Morgan on researchgate.net
Taylor & Francis Online
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Full article: Supporting thinking on sample sizes for thematic analyses: a quantitative tool
An important stage in planning a study is determining how large a sample size may be required, however current guidelines for thematic analysis are varied, ranging from around 2 to over 400 and it is unclear how to choose a value from the space ...
ScienceDirect
sciencedirect.com › science › article › pii › S2949916X24001245
Sample size for saturation in qualitative research: Debates, definitions, and strategies - ScienceDirect
December 16, 2024 - Supporters of strict saturation standards argue that achieving saturation is essential for ensuring the comprehensiveness and depth of the data collected [13]. This viewpoint posits that saturation serves as a crucial indicator of methodological rigor, particularly in studies utilizing phenomenological or grounded theory approaches [8]. According to these proponents, reaching saturation ensures that the researcher captures the full spectrum of participants' experiences and perspectives, which is vital for producing rich, meaningful findings.
ResearchGate
researchgate.net › publication › 385253403_Sample_Sizes_for_10_Types_of_Qualitative_Data_Analysis_An_Integrative_Review_Empirical_Guidance_and_Next_Steps
(PDF) Sample Sizes for 10 Types of Qualitative Data Analysis: An Integrative Review, Empirical Guidance, and Next Steps
March 17, 2026 - Building on established reviews ... analysis, schema analysis, and ethnography (current guidance indicates 50–81 data documents or 20–30 interviews may be adequate)....
Andifugard
andifugard.info › choosing-a-sample-size-for-a-thematic-analysis
Choosing a sample size for a thematic analysis – Andi Fugard (∧⇒)
June 7, 2024 - From these examples, it’s clear that the richness of the material and time taken to analyse it was an important and sensible constraint. For example, we would expect smaller samples for long interviews and larger samples for a sentence of free text in a web-based survey. Contrary to some arguments we have seen in the literature, it does also apply to reflexive thematic analysis too.
Springer
link.springer.com › home › bmc medical research methodology › article
Characterising and justifying sample size sufficiency in interview-based studies: systematic analysis of qualitative health research over a 15-year period | BMC Medical Research Methodology | Springer Nature Link
November 21, 2018 - Similarly, fewer than 10% of articles in organisation and workplace studies provided a sample size justification relating to existing recommendations by methodologists, prior relevant work, or saturation [33], whilst only 17% of focus groups studies in health-related journals provided an explanation of sample size (i.e. number of focus groups), with saturation being the most frequently invoked argument, followed by published sample size recommendations and practical reasons [22]. The notion of saturation was also invoked by 11 out of the 51 most highly cited studies that Guetterman [27] reviewed in the fields of education and health sciences, of which six were grounded theory studies, four phenomenological and one a narrative inquiry. Finally, analysing 641 interview-based articles in accounting, Dai et al.
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I agree that Braun and Clarke do not like saturation, but they do not offer any reasonable alternatives, either. I personally prefer approaches that rely on meaning or theoretical saturation, as described by Monique Hennink (i.e., stopping when no new theoretical insights appear in further interviews). In contrast, Guest's work (or least his earlier work) concentrates on code saturation (i.e., stopping when no new codes appear in further interviews).
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Braun and Clarke do not recommend saturation ... but I like Greg Guest's idea in his book on applied thematic analysis: Be eclectic and do what works as long as your choices align with your goals. Key problem for most is saturation is usually dropped without conceptual clarity or a method to track. Define what level of saturation and how you measure it. Be open to some concepts are saturated and others are not. My experience is most saturation claims are spurious and at the surface level. Many researchers agree. Guest also has a great article on saturation.
Sample size, then? Depends on how complex and bounded your study is. Most single researchers have boundedtopics with a narrow focus, so rules of thumb often work. See for one example: Vasileiou, K., Barnett, J., Thorpe, S., & Young, T. (2018). Characterising and justifying sample size sufficiency in interview-based studies: systematic analysis of qualitative health research over a 15-year period. BMC medical research methodology, 18(1), 148.
PLOS
journals.plos.org › plosone › article
A simple method to assess and report thematic saturation in qualitative research | PLOS One
May 5, 2020 - They found that the first five to six interviews produced the majority of new information in the dataset, and that little new information was gained as the sample size approached 20 interviews.
Sage Journals
journals.sagepub.com › doi › 10.1177 › 16094069241296206
Sample Sizes for 10 Types of Qualitative Data Analysis: An Integrative Review, Empirical Guidance, and Next Steps - Amber Wutich, Melissa Beresford, H. Russell Bernard, 2024
Building on established reviews ... analysis, schema analysis, and ethnography (current guidance indicates 50–81 data documents or 20–30 interviews may be adequate)....
ResearchGate
researchgate.net › publication › 338194394_To_saturate_or_not_to_saturate_Questioning_data_saturation_as_a_useful_concept_for_thematic_analysis_and_sample-size_rationales
To saturate or not to saturate? Questioning data saturation as a useful concept for thematic analysis and sample-size rationales | Request PDF
December 26, 2019 - Many participants perceived writing not merely as an academic task but as a spiritual act that supports da'wah, deep reflection and ongoing personal development. Components of SWE, including constructive feedback, appropriate use of technology and clear l ... ... This is not uncommon for qualitative research, nor is it uncommon for PPIE. Reflexive TA has very few rules regarding sample size [43] and does not conceptualise data completeness in terms of thematic saturation
PubMed
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov › 34785096
Sample sizes for saturation in qualitative research
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PubMed
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov › 26613970
Sample Size in Qualitative Interview Studies: Guided by Information Power - PubMed
Information power indicates that the more information the sample holds, relevant for the actual study, the lower amount of participants is needed. We suggest that the size of a sample with sufficient information power depends on (a) the aim of the study, (b) sample specificity, (c) use of established theory, (d) quality of dialogue, and (e) analysis strategy.
ScienceDirect
sciencedirect.com › science › article › pii › S0277953621008558
Sample sizes for saturation in qualitative research: A systematic review of empirical tests - ScienceDirect
November 2, 2021 - To review empirical studies that assess saturation in qualitative research in order to identify sample sizes for saturation, strategies used to assess…
Wynter
wynter.com › post › a-good-sample-size-for-qualitative-research
What’s a good sample size for qualitative research?
The standard in qualitative research is that it takes 12-13 responses to reach saturation. If you survey 130 people, the number of insights is same
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Kirsty - it really does depend on your actual adopted phenomenological philosophical school. Phenomenology is not general with general frameworks. For it to be effective - it needs to be specific to the task at hand. IPA is its own school - and has its own analytical style. Different schools lean towards other analytical frameworks i.e. Giorgi and Colaizzi - and there are instances where certain philosophers have their own frameworks i.e., van Manen.
You can't pre-predict saturation - but reasonable to suggest that 12 in-depth participant narratives might reach saturation.
Reflexivity, again, depends on the adopted school.
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Braun and Clarke maintain a website with FAQs that addresses the comparison with IPA.
https://www.thematicanalysis.net/faqs/
Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Thematic_analysis
Thematic analysis - Wikipedia
3 weeks ago - Rooted in humanistic psychology, phenomenology notes giving voice to the "other" as a key component in qualitative research in general. This approach allows the respondents to discuss the topic in their own words, free of constraints from fixed-response questions found in quantitative studies. Thematic analysis is sometimes erroneously assumed to be only compatible with phenomenology or experiential approaches to qualitative research.
PubMed Central
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov › articles › PMC11267098
Determining an Appropriate Sample Size for Qualitative Interviews to Achieve True and Near Code Saturation: Secondary Analysis of Data - PMC
Guest et al [15] operationalized the concept of theoretical saturation as the point in data collection and analysis when new information produces little or no change to the codebook, and van Rijnsoever [19] operationalized it as being when all the codes have been observed once in the sample. Some authors have defined theoretical saturation, thematic saturation, and data saturation as the same concept [16,18], whereas others have defined these terms differently [12,20]. For example, some authors have defined thematic saturation as the point where no new codes or themes are emerging from the data [12,21]. For thematic saturation to be achieved, data should be collected until nothing new is generated [20,22]. Data saturation has been defined as the level to which new data are repetitive of the data that have been collected [12,23,24].
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
journals.lww.com › jome › fulltext › 2024 › 05020 › navigating_sample_size_estimation_for_qualitative.9.aspx
Navigating Sample Size Estimation for Qualitative Research : Journal of Medical Evidence
e sample size is essential for a study to address the core elements of validity and credibility in qualitative research too such as rigor, trustworthiness, conformability and acceptance. Therefore, this review was carried out to explain the available methods to estimate sample size for qualitative ...
Delve
delvetool.com › blog › interpretative-phenomenological-analysis-vs-thematic-analysis
Thematic Analysis vs. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis in Qualitative Research — Delve
October 8, 2025 - In short, Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis is more suitable for smaller sample sizes when you want to zoom in on individual experiences. Thematic Analysis is preferred for larger sample sizes when you want to identify overarching patterns across the full dataset.
Teacher's Notes
teachersnotes.net › 2025 › 03 › 23 › thematic-analysis-as-a-method-for-interpreting-lived-experience-in-phenomenological-research
Thematic Analysis as a Method for Interpreting Lived Experience in Phenomenological Research – Teacher's Notes
March 23, 2025 - Table 1: Commonalities and Differences Between Thematic Analysis and Phenomenological Research Feature Thematic Analysis Phenomenological Research Focus Identifying patterns and themes in data Understanding the essence of lived experiences Philosophical Basis Method; can be applied across various frameworks Methodology with specific philosophical underpinnings Data Analysis Coding data to identify themes across a dataset Exploring individual experiences to understand their meaning Sample Size Can be used with varying sample sizes Often uses smaller sample sizes, especially IPA Approach Often i