Skip to main content
Log in

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

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

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.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aarons, G. A., Green, A. E., Palinkas, L. A., Self-Brown, S., Whitaker, D. J., Lutzker, J. R., et al.  (2012). Dynamic adaptation process to implement an evidence-based maltreatment intervention. Implementation Science, 7, 32.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Aarons, G. A., Hurlburt, M., & Horwitz, S. M. (2011). Advancing a conceptual model of evidence-based practice implementation in child welfare. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, 38, 4–23.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Aarons, G. A., & Palinkas, L. A. (2007). Implementation of evidence-based practice in child welfare: Service provider perspectives. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, 34, 411–419.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Aarons, G. A., Wells, R., Zagursky, K., Fettes, D. L., & Palinkas, L. A. (2009). Implementing evidence-based practice in community mental health agencies: Multiple stakeholder perspectives. American Journal of Public Health, 99(11), 2087–2095.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bachman, M. O., O’Brien, M., Husbands, C., Shreeve, A., Jones, N., Watson, J., et al. (2009). Integrating children’s services in England: National evaluation of children’s trusts. Child: Care, Health and Development, 35, 257–265.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bernard, H. R. (2002). Research methods in anthropology: Qualitative and quantitative approaches (3rd ed.). Walnut Creek, CA: Alta Mira Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bloom, H. S., & Michalopoulos, C. (2013). When is the story in the subgroups? Strategies for interpreting and reporting intervention effects for subgroups. Prevention Science, 14, 179–188.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, C., Ten Have, T., Jo, B., Dagne, G., Wyman, P., Muthén, B., et al. (2009). Adaptive designs for randomized trials in public health. Annual Review of Public Health, 30, 1–25.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, C. H., Wang, W., Kellam, S. G., Muthén, B. O., & Prevention Science and Methodology Group. (2008). Methods for testing theory and evaluating impact in randomized field trials: Intent-to-treat analyses for integrating the perspectives of person, place, and time. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, S95, S74–S104.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, C. H., Wyman, P. A., Guo, J., & Peña, J. (2006). Dynamic wait-listed designs for randomized trials: New designs for prevention of youth suicide. Clinical Trials, 3, 259–271.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brunette, M. F., Asher, D., Whitley, R., Lutz, W. J., Weider, B. L., Jones, A. M., et al. (2008). Implementation of integrated dual disorders treatment: A qualitative analysis of facilitators and barriers. Psychiatric Services, 59, 989–995.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cresswell, J. W., & Plano Clark, V. L. (2011). Designing and conducting mixed method research (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Curran, G. M., Bauer, M., Mittman, B., Pyne, J. M., & Stetler, C. (2012). Effectiveness-implementation hybrid designs: Combining elements of clinical effectiveness and implementation research to enhance public health impact. Medical Care, 50, 217–226.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Denzen, N. K. (1978). The research act: A theoretical introduction to sociological methods (2nd ed.). New York: McGraw Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Duan, N., Bhaumik, D. K., Palinkas, L. A., & Hoagwood, K. (this issue). Purposeful sampling and optimal design. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research.

  • Gioia, D., & Dziadosz, G. (2008).  Adoption of evidence-based practices in community mental health: A mixed method study of practitioner experience. Community Mental Health Journal, 44, 347–357.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Glaser, B. G. (1978). Theoretical sensitivity. Mill Valley, CA: Sociology Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Glaser, B. G., & Straus, A. L. (1967). The discovery of grounded theory: Strategies for qualitative research. New York: Aldine de Gruyter.

    Google Scholar 

  • Glasgow, R., Magid, D., Beck, A., Ritzwoller, D., & Estabrooks, P. (2005). Practical clinical trials for translating research to practice: Design and measurement recommendations. Medical Care, 43(6), 551.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Green, A. E., & Aarons, G. A. (2011). A comparison of policy and direct practice stakeholder perceptions of factors affecting evidence-based practice implementation using concept mapping. Implementation Science, 6, 104.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Guest, G., Bunce, A., & Johnson, L. (2006). How many interviews are enough? An experiment with data saturation and variability. Field Methods, 18(1), 59–82.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Henke, R. M., Chou, A. F., Chanin, J. C., Zides, A. B., & Scholle, S. H. (2008). Physician attitude toward depression care interventions: Implications for implementation of quality improvement initiatives. Implementation Science, 3, 40.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hoagwood, K. E., Vogel, J. M., Levitt, J. M., D’Amico, P. J., Paisner, W. I., & Kaplan, S. J. (2007). Implementing an evidence-based trauma treatment in a state system after September 11: The CATS Project. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 46(6), 773–779.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kemper, E. A., Stringfield, S., & Teddlie, C. (2003). Mixed methods sampling strategies in social science research. In A. Tashakkori & C. Teddlie (Eds.), Handbook of mixed methods in the social and behavioral sciences (pp. 273–296). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kramer, T. F., & Burns, B. J. (2008). Implementing cognitive behavioral therapy in the real world: A case study of two mental health centers. Implementation Science, 3, 14.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Landsverk, J., Brown, H., Chamberlain, P., Palinkas, L. A., & Horwitz, S. M. (2012). Design and analysis in dissemination and implementation research. In R. C. Brownson, G. A. Colditz, & E. K. Proctor (Eds.), Translating science to practice (pp. 225–260). New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marshall, T., Rapp, C. A., Becker, D. R., & Bond, G. R. (2008). Key factors for implementing supported employment. Psychiatric Services, 59, 886–892.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Marty, D., Rapp, C., McHugo, G., & Whitley, R. (2008). Factors influencing consumer outcome monitoring in implementation of evidence-based practices: Results from the National EBP Implementation Project. Administration and Policy In Mental Health, 35, 204–211.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Miles, M. B., & Huberman, A. M. (1994). Qualitative data analysis: An expanded sourcebook (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Minkler, M., & Wallerstein, N. (Eds.). (2003). Community-based participatory research for health. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morgan, D. L. (1997). Focus groups as qualitative research. Newbury Park, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morse, J. M., & Niehaus, L. (2009). Mixed method design: Principles and procedures. Walnut Creek, CA: Left Coast Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Padgett, D. K. (2008). Qualitative methods in social work research (2nd ed.). Los Angeles: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Palinkas, L. A., Aarons, G. A., Horwitz, S. M., Chamberlain, P., Hurlburt, M., & Landsverk, J. (2011a). Mixed method designs in implementation research. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, 38, 44–53.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Palinkas, L. A., Ell, K., Hansen, M., Cabassa, L. J., & Wells, A. A. (2011b). Sustainability of collaborative care interventions in primary care settings. Journal of Social Work, 11, 99–117.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Palinkas, L. A., Holloway, I. W., Rice, E., Fuentes, D., Wu, Q., & Chamberlain, P. (2011c). Social networks and implementation of evidence-based practices in public youth-serving systems: A mixed methods study. Implementation Science, 6, 113.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Palinkas, L. A., Fuentes, D., Garcia, A. R., Finno, M., Holloway, I. W., & Chamberlain, P. (2012). Inter-organizational collaboration in the implementation of evidence-based practices among agencies serving abused and neglected youth. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research. doi:10.1007/s10488-012-0437-5.

  • Palinkas, L. A., & Soydan, H. (2012). Translation and implementation of evidence-based practice. New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Patton, M. Q. (2002). Qualitative research and evaluation methods (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Proctor, E. K., Knudsen, K. J., Fedoracivius, N., Hovmand, P., Rosen, A., & Perron, B. (2007). Implementation of evidence-based practice in community behavioral health: Agency director perspectives. Administration and Policy in Mental Health, 34, 479–488.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Proctor, E. K., Landsverk, J., Aarons, G., Chambers, D., Glisson, C., & Mittman, C. (2009). Implementation research in mental health services: An emerging science with conceptual, methodological, and training challenges. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, 36, 24–34.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rapp, C. A., Etzel-Wise, D., Marty, D., Coffman, M., Carlson, L., Asher, D., et al. (2010). Barriers to evidence-based practice implementation: Results of a qualitative study. Community Mental Health Journal, 46, 112–118.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Raudenbush, S., & Liu, X. (2000). Statistical power and optimal design for multisite randomized trials. Psychological Methods, 5, 199–213.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Slade, M., Gask, L., Leese, M., McCrone, P., Montana, C., Powell, R., et al. (2008). Failure to improve appropriateness of referrals to adult community mental health services—Lessons from a multi-site cluster randomized controlled trial. Family Practice, 25, 181–190.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Spradley, J. P. (1979). The ethnographic interview. New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston.

    Google Scholar 

  • Swain, K., Whitley, R., McHugo, G. J., & Drake, R. E. (2010). The sustainability of evidence-based practices in routine mental health agencies. Community Mental Health Journal, 46, 119–129.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Teddlie, C., & Tashakkori, A. (2003). Major issues and controversies in the use of mixed methods in the social and behavioral sciences. In A. Tashakkori & C. Teddlie (Eds.), Handbook of mixed methods in the social and behavioral sciences (pp. 3–50). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tunis, S. R., Stryer, D. B., & Clancey, C. M. (2003). Increasing the value of clinical research for decision making in clinical and health policy. Journal of the American Medical Association, 290(1624–1632), 2003.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wisdom, J. P., Cavaleri, M. C., Onwuegbuzie, A. T., & Green, C. A. (2011). Methodological reporting in qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods health services research articles. Health Services Research, 47, 721–745.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Woltmann, E. M., Whitley, R., McHugo, G. J., et al. (2008). The role of staff turnover in the implementation of evidence-based practices in health care. Psychiatric Services, 59, 732–737.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zazzali, J. L., Sherbourne, C., Hoagwood, K. E., Greene, D., Bigley, M. F., & Sexton, T. L. (2008). The adoption and implementation of an evidence based practice in child and family mental health services organizations: A pilot study of functional family therapy in New York State. Administration and Policy in Mental Health, 35, 38–49.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

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

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lawrence A. Palinkas.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

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

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-013-0528-y

Keywords

Navigation