Vertaile menetelmiä

	Verkkoteoreettinen otanta	Verkkotarkoituksenmukainen otanta
Tieteenala	Kyselytutkimuksen metodologia	Kyselytutkimuksen metodologia
Menetelmäperhe	Process / pipeline	Process / pipeline
Syntyvuosi	1967 (theoretical sampling); online adaptation ~2000s–2010s	1990s–2000s (with growth of internet-based research)
Kehittäjä	Glaser & Strauss (theoretical sampling); adapted to online contexts by internet qualitative researchers	Adaptation of purposive sampling (Patton, 1987) to online/digital research contexts
Tyyppi	Qualitative sampling strategy	Non-probability qualitative sampling
Alkuperäislähde	Glaser, B. G., & Strauss, A. L. (1967). The Discovery of Grounded Theory: Strategies for Qualitative Research. Aldine. ISBN: 978-0202302607	Patton, M. Q. (2002). Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods (3rd ed.). Sage Publications. ISBN: 978-0761919711
Rinnakkaisnimet	internet-based theoretical sampling, digital theoretical sampling, web-based theoretical sampling	internet-based purposive sampling, web purposive sampling, online criterion-based sampling, digital purposive sampling
Liittyvät	4	3
Tiivistelmä	Online theoretical sampling applies the logic of theoretical sampling — selecting participants or data sources based on emerging theory rather than predetermined criteria — within digital environments. Researchers iteratively recruit from online communities, forums, social media, or virtual networks, guided at each step by conceptual gaps identified during concurrent analysis. It is most commonly used in grounded theory studies conducted wholly or partially over the internet.	Online purposive sampling applies the logic of criterion-based participant selection to digital recruitment channels — including social media platforms, online communities, email lists, and research recruitment websites. Researchers intentionally seek individuals who possess the characteristics, experiences, or expertise directly relevant to the research question, using internet-based tools to locate and screen them. The method preserves the defining feature of purposive sampling — deliberate selection based on fitness for purpose — while leveraging the reach and accessibility of online environments.