What does saturation indicate in qualitative research?

Saturation in qualitative research refers to the point at which no new information or themes emerge from data collection. This concept is critical because it signifies that the researcher has gathered enough data to understand the phenomenon being studied fully. When saturation is reached, it indicates that further interviews or focus groups are unlikely to provide additional valuable insights or different perspectives, suggesting that the data collection process can be concluded.

Maintaining the focus on this aspect ensures that the study remains efficient by helping researchers allocate their resources effectively and concentrate on analyzing the existing data rather than continuing to collect data that does not yield new findings.