Achieving Data Saturation: Evidence from a Qualitative Study of Job Satisfaction

Abstract

The concept of saturation is deemed necessary in qualitative research;however, existing literature discussing the point of saturation is relativelyscant. Previous qualitative studies tend to describe the point of saturationbut fail to demonstrate how the saturation occurred. This article providesevidence on how qualitative research might report the point of datasaturation. The original study consists of a mixed method approach todevelop and validate an instrument for measuring offshore cateringemployees’ job satisfaction. Notably, this paper reports a part of thequalitative portion of a mixed-method study. Using the data from a studyinvolving 13 in-depth, semi-structured interviews, this study documentsthe degree of data saturation over the course of thematic analysis anddemonstrates how data saturation was operationalised. Although the studyreported 13 interviews, the saturation occurred within 12 interviews. Thestudy findings are not extensively discussed; however, adequate informationabout the study background, data collection and sample characteristics areincluded. The technique presented in this paper provides practical guidancefor qualitative researchers in reporting point of saturation. However, itis recommended that the evidence of data saturation occurred after 12interviews should be applied with caution due to several factors