Research and Postgraduate Centre congratulates Asst. Prof. Dr. Iffat Ali Aksar from the Department of Journalism and Advertising published an article entitled “Small world sampling: Qualitative sample reliability and validity for efficient and effective recruitment of journalists as research participants” in the journal Journalism (SSCI Q1, IF:3.194). Dr. Aksar is the corresponding author and this is a collaborative work with Associate Prof. Dr. Amira Firduas from the Department of Communication Studies, Universiti Malaya. 

The paper focuses on qualitative methodological issues, mainly related to journalism, in finding professionals for interviewing. Based on Small-world theory, the authors theorized small-world sampling to gain access to media practitioners for qualitative studies. Additionally, in small-world sampling protocols, the authors addressed the issues of reliability and validity in qualitative research design. The paper was reviewed by four qualitative experts from the USA, Canada, Australia, and Germany and received appreciative comments.

Link: https://doi.org/10.1177/14648849221124997 

Dr. Aksar is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Journalism and Advertising at Xiamen University Malaysia. Her research interests include new media, women, and qualitative methodologies. She worked in educational media and radio broadcasting before joining Xiamen University Malaysia.