PhD candidates and graduate students in social sciences
Designing the sampling strategy for a qualitative dissertation proposal
Use cases
About
The Site and Participation Selection mind map template, designed for qualitative researchers, synthesizes sampling frameworks from three key methodological sources: Maxwell, Marshall & Rossman, and Glesne. It covers 51 nodes across topics like purposeful sampling, sample size determination, and selection strategies. Key concepts include 'Purposeful sampling selection (Light et al., 1990, p. 53)' and 'Four Possible Goals of Purposeful Selection (Maxwell, p. 89)'. This template serves as a cheat sheet for designing rigorous site and participant selection processes in qualitative studies.
Terms and ConditionsWhen to use this template
Instructors and students in qualitative research classes
Reviewing methodological literature for a research methods course
Research teams and project leads in academic or applied settings
Planning multi-site case study research with a team
How to use this template
Step 1
Open and Explore Sampling Frameworks
Open the template in Xmind to navigate the three main branches representing Maxwell, Marshall & Rossman, and Glesne's methodological frameworks.
Step 2
Review Detailed Nodes and References
Expand the 51 nodes to access specific references and notes regarding purposeful sampling goals and selection strategies for your qualitative research.
Step 3
Customize and Export Your Design
Tailor the map by adding your own study notes before exporting the final selection process as a PDF or image for your research proposal.
Frequently asked questions
It's a structured overview of qualitative research sampling methods, compiling key concepts from Maxwell, Marshall & Rossman, and Glesne to guide site and participant selection.
Open the .xmind file in Xmind, then explore each branch to understand sampling goals, sample size considerations, and selection strategies. Adapt the nodes to your study's context.
They include achieving representativeness, capturing heterogeneity, examining critical cases for theory development, and establishing comparisons to illuminate differences.
For mixed method/qualitative studies, they suggest 1-4 participants; for focus groups, about 10 groups; and observational studies often require 16-24 months of fieldwork.
Backyard settings offer easy access and established rapport but may limit new insights, while new settings foster openness to new understandings.
Yes, you can edit node text, add or remove branches, and reorganize the map to fit your specific research design needs.
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