Saturation
Also called: thematic saturation
ELI5
More interviews are no longer adding important new themes.
Used in conversation
“Saturation is a judgment, not a magic sample size.”
Definition
In qualitative research, the point at which additional data yields little new relevant information for the study question.
Here “Saturation” means: In qualitative research, the point at which additional data yields little new relevant information for the study question.
Pitch context
You will see “Saturation” in product strategy decks, roadmaps, experiments and architecture reviews when the discussion reaches product discovery & research.
Why it matters: It helps a reader interpret product discovery & research without confusing the measure, decision, role or evidence being discussed.
Connected terms
- SaturationThe same visible label “Saturation” names different concepts.
Sources & evidence · 2
Supporting source families. This entry is an editorial synthesis rather than a quotation from one canonical glossary.
- Scrum Guides — The Scrum Guide — official current versionSupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- National Institute of Standards and Technology — Computer Security Resource Center GlossarySupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-16