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 relatively
scant. Previous qualitative studies tend to describe the point of saturation
but fail to demonstrate how the saturation occurred. This article provides
evidence on how qualitative research might report the point of data
saturation. The original study consists of a mixed method approach to
develop and validate an instrument for measuring offshore catering
employees’ job satisfaction. Notably, this paper reports a part of the
qualitative portion of a mixed-method study. Using the data from a study
involving 13 in-depth, semi-structured interviews, this study documents
the degree of data saturation over the course of thematic analysis and
demonstrates how data saturation was operationalised. Although the study
reported 13 interviews, the saturation occurred within 12 interviews. The
study findings are not extensively discussed; however, adequate information
about the study background, data collection and sample characteristics are
included. The technique presented in this paper provides practical guidance
for qualitative researchers in reporting point of saturation. However, it
is recommended that the evidence of data saturation occurred after 12
interviews should be applied with caution due to several factors