Comparar métodos

	Muestreo Teórico Piloto	Muestreo Intencional
Campo	Metodología de encuestas	Metodología de encuestas
Familia	Process / pipeline	Process / pipeline
Año de origen	1967 (theoretical sampling origin); compound practice formalized in qualitative methodology literature	Formalized ~1980–1990
Autor original	Glaser & Strauss (theoretical sampling); pilot study concept is longstanding in research methodology	Michael Quinn Patton (systematic articulation); roots in early qualitative inquiry
Tipo	Qualitative sampling strategy with pilot phase	Non-probability sampling strategy
Fuente seminal	Glaser, B. G., & Strauss, A. L. (1967). The Discovery of Grounded Theory: Strategies for Qualitative Research. Aldine. ISBN: 978-0202302607	Patton, M. Q. (1990). Qualitative Evaluation and Research Methods (2nd ed.). Sage. ISBN: 978-0803937796
Alias	pilot-phase theoretical sampling, exploratory theoretical sampling, preliminary theoretical sampling	judgmental sampling, selective sampling, criterion-based sampling, purposeful sampling
Relacionados	3	4
Resumen	Pilot theoretical sampling applies the logic of theoretical sampling — selecting participants based on emerging concepts and theory — within a deliberate pilot or preliminary phase of a study. Rather than committing immediately to a full sampling strategy, the researcher conducts a small initial round of data collection and analysis to test whether theoretical sampling is feasible, to refine the sensitizing concepts guiding participant selection, and to identify whether the field is productive before full-scale data collection begins.	Purposive sampling is a non-probability strategy in which the researcher deliberately selects participants, documents, or cases that are information-rich with respect to the research question. Rather than drawing units at random, the researcher applies explicit criteria aligned with the study's purpose, maximising the depth and relevance of the data collected. It is the default sampling logic in most qualitative research designs and is also used in mixed-methods and applied evaluative work.