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METHODS article

Front. Res. Metr. Anal.
Sec. Research Methods
Volume 9 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/frma.2024.1512747

Participant Selection Procedures in Qualitative Research: Experiences and Some Points for Consideration

Provisionally accepted
Niroj Dahal Niroj Dahal *Bharat Prasad Neupane Bharat Prasad Neupane Binod Prasad Pant Binod Prasad Pant Rebat Kumar Dhakal Rebat Kumar Dhakal Dhudi Raj Giri Dhudi Raj Giri Puna Ram Ghimire Puna Ram Ghimire Laxman Bhandari Laxman Bhandari
  • Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel, Nepal

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    Qualitative research is widely embraced in the social sciences and education. Among the different traditional, modern, and community-oriented qualitative methodologies, we have drawn on our experiences to adopt seven qualitative methodologies: auto/ethnography, narrative inquiry, participatory action research, ethnography, case study, grounded theory, and phenomenology. Despite the abundance of literature on qualitative methodologies, there is still a need for a more focused exploration of participant selection procedures in qualitative studies. This article examines the discourse around participant selection procedures within these seven methodologies, highlighting their unique nuances and differences. It offers practical insights and guidelines for novice and experienced researchers and graduate and postgraduate students to enhance their understanding of participant selection procedures, and some thinking points for consideration. Drawing from our experiences, we aim to provide a useful resource that encourages thoughtful consideration of participant selection in qualitative studies.

    Keywords: Participant selection, auto/ethnography, narrative inquiry, Participatory Action Research, ethnography, case study, grounded theory, Phenomenology

    Received: 31 Oct 2024; Accepted: 29 Nov 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 Dahal, Neupane, Pant, Dhakal, Giri, Ghimire and Bhandari. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence: Niroj Dahal, Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel, Nepal

    Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.