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Purposeful Sampling for Qualitative Data Collection and Analysis in Mixed Method Implementation Research

Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research volume 42, pages 533–544 (2015)Cite this article

Abstract

Purposeful sampling is widely used in qualitative research for the identification and selection of information-rich cases related to the phenomenon of interest. Although there are several different purposeful sampling strategies, criterion sampling appears to be used most commonly in implementation research. However, combining sampling strategies may be more appropriate to the aims of implementation research and more consistent with recent developments in quantitative methods. This paper reviews the principles and practice of purposeful sampling in implementation research, summarizes types and categories of purposeful sampling strategies and provides a set of recommendations for use of single strategy or multistage strategy designs, particularly for state implementation research.

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Acknowledgments

This study was funded through a Grant from the National Institute of Mental Health (P30-MH090322: K. Hoagwood, PI).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Social Work, University of Southern California, 669 W. 34th Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90089-0411, USA

    Lawrence A. Palinkas

  2. Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, New York University, New York, NY, USA

    Sarah M. Horwitz & Kimberly Hoagwood

  3. Center for Health Research, Kaiser Permanente Northwest, Portland, OR, USA

    Carla A. Green

  4. George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA

    Jennifer P. Wisdom

  5. Department of Psychiatry and New York State Neuropsychiatric Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA

    Naihua Duan

Authors
  1. Lawrence A. Palinkas
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  2. Sarah M. Horwitz
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  3. Carla A. Green
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  4. Jennifer P. Wisdom
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  5. Naihua Duan
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  6. Kimberly Hoagwood
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Correspondence to Lawrence A. Palinkas.

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Palinkas, L.A., Horwitz, S.M., Green, C.A. et al. Purposeful Sampling for Qualitative Data Collection and Analysis in Mixed Method Implementation Research. Adm Policy Ment Health 42, 533–544 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-013-0528-y

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Keywords

  • Mental health services
  • Children and adolescents
  • Mixed methods
  • Qualitative methods implementation
  • State systems