Theoretical Saturation

From grounded theory, developed by Barney G. Glaser and Anselm L. Strauss (The Discovery of Grounded Theory, 1967).

Sets a stopping rule for gathering cases: keep going until several new cases in a row add no new category or property.

When to reach for it

When interviews, customer research, or a list of options has to stop somewhere and the stopping point must be defensible.

How it runs

1. Name the categories being built.
2. For each new case, note whether it adds anything.
3. Track how often new cases add something.
4. Declare saturation when several cases in a row add nothing.
5. Record the stopping rule with the findings.

Where it sits in SOLVE eX

• 3.1 Finding the Current Facts

Go to the source

• The Discovery of Grounded Theory, 1967