Focus Group Data Saturation: A New Approach to Data Analysis

The qualitative research "gold standard" for quality research is data saturation. The limited literature on reporting data saturation and transparency in qualitative research has supported an inconsistent research standard suggesting researchers have not adequately reported data saturation to promote transparency (O'Reilly & Parker, 2012). Confusion regarding how to analyze qualitative data to achieve data saturation, how to write clear qualitative research findings, and present these findings in a usable manner continues (Sandelowski & Leeman, 2012). A phenomenological asynchronous online focus group using WordPress[R] was employed to answer the research question. Based on the current literature on the topic of focus group data saturation, the study findings were analyzed by group, individual, and day of the study. Additionally, the data was presented in a chart format providing a visible approach to data analysis and saturation. Employing three different methods of data analysis to confirm saturation and transparency provides qualitative researchers with different approaches to data analysis for saturation and enhancement of trustworthiness. Placing data in a visual configuration provides an alternative method of presenting research findings. The data analysis methods presented are not meant to replace existing methods of achieving data saturation but to provide an alternate approach to achieving data saturation and reporting the findings in a clear, usable format. Keywords: Qualitative Research, Focus Group, Data Saturation, Trustworthiness The qualitative research "gold standard" for quality research is data saturation. Instead of relying on the number of participants, qualitative research focuses on different perspectives and opinions of participants. The limited literature on reporting data saturation and transparency in qualitative research has supported an inconsistent research standard suggesting researchers have not adequately reported data saturation to promote transparency (O'Reilly & Parker, 2012). Confusion regarding how to analyze qualitative data to achieve data saturation, how to write clear qualitative research findings, and present these findings in a usable manner continues (Sandelowski & Leeman, 2012). This article provides a new approach for analyzing phenomenological focus group data for saturation and presenting usable findings. Focus Group Study A 10-day phenomenological focus group employed an asynchronous online research design in a quest to understand the lived experience of male registered nurses (RNs) seeking employment in healthcare organizations, particularly when choosing a nursing specialty. Institutional Research Board (IRB) approval was obtained from the University of Phoenix. Five open-ended interview questions were posted on the study's WordPress[R] website. Participants were required to answer the five interview questions and respond to two fellow study participants to facilitate discussion. The participants were able to view the postings of each participant during the study promoting interaction. Eight male RNs completed the 10-day study. Data saturation was set at five responses per theme and subtheme. Trustworthiness criteria were met. Saturation: Current Approach Thematic data saturation is reached when there are no new emerging ideas in the data (Bowen, 2008; Houghton, Casey, Shaw, & Murphy, 2013; O'Reilly & Parker, 2012). As noted by Kerr, Nixon, and Wild (2010), the term data saturation is best described as data adequacy meaning no new information is obtained. Complicating the issue of data saturation is the lack of evidence and guidelines in current qualitative research in how to reach data saturation (Bowen, 2008; Francis et al., 2010; Kerr et al., 2010). O'Reilly and Parker (2012) discuss saturation noting that the idea of data saturation begins with the qualitative research method of grounded theory and specific theory-driven meanings. …