What does "data saturation" mean in qualitative research?

In qualitative research, "data saturation" refers to the point at which additional data collection no longer yields new insights, themes, or information relevant to the research question. When researchers reach this stage, they can confidently conclude that further inquiries are unlikely to provide more depth or variation in perspectives on the topic being studied. This concept is crucial because it helps ensure that the analysis is comprehensive and that the findings accurately reflect the experiences and viewpoints of participants without unnecessary redundancy.

For instance, if researchers interview a series of participants and find that their responses begin to repeat the same ideas without introducing new concepts, they can determine that they have reached data saturation. This facilitates a focused analysis of the data collected, ultimately strengthening the validity of the research outcomes.