UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

Statements A, B, C and E correctly describe typical qualitative sampling practices. Purposive sampling is widely used to select cases that yield rich information, and the goal is depth rather than statistical representativeness. Theoretical sampling helps refine emerging categories, and sample size is often guided by saturation, when new data no longer add substantially new insights. Statement D is false because probability sampling is not mandatory in qualitative research and is often not used.

Option A:
Option A is correct because it brings together the four true statements and excludes D, which misrepresents qualitative sampling requirements. It portrays qualitative sampling as flexible, concept-driven and oriented toward information richness rather than probability.

Option B:
Option B is incomplete because it omits E, ignoring how the concept of saturation influences decisions about when to stop collecting data. Without E, the dynamic nature of sample size determination in qualitative work is underplayed.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect because it includes D, the statement that probability sampling is mandatory, which contradicts common qualitative practice. Including D alongside true statements creates a misleading picture of qualitative methodology.

Option D:
Option D is wrong because it retains D and drops B, failing to acknowledge that depth of understanding, rather than representativeness, is the usual goal. This combination therefore distorts both the purpose and the technique of qualitative sampling.