Snowball sampling is a popular technique among social scientists who wish to work with a population that is difficult to identify or locate. The procedures of chain referral sampling are not selfevident or obvious. International journal of social research methodology 81. It was used in lindesmiths original study of opiate addiction 1968 as well as in beckers work on marijuana smokers 1966. The method yields a study sample through referrals. Snowball sampling in qualitative research sampling knowledge. In spite of the fact that chain referral sampling has been widely used in qualitative sociological research, especially in the study of deviant behavior, the problems and techniques involved in its use have not been adequately explained. How snowball sampling fits into grounded theory study. Although there are several variations, this approach involves a minimum of two stages. In the area of deviant behavior, especially research on drug use and addiction, snowball sampling has been used to gather materials for studies now thought of as classics in the field. The process of snowball sampling is much like asking your subjects to nominate another person with the same trait as your next subject.
Snowball sampling or chainreferral sampling is defined as a nonprobability sampling technique in which the samples have traits that are rare to find. A manual for selecting sampling techniques in research 4 preface the manual for sampling techniques used in social sciences is an effort to describe various types of sampling methodologies that are used in researches of social sciences in an easy and understandable way. Ericksons 1979 article on problems of inference from chain data from hidden populations expressed the common wisdom. Have a look at the work of janice morse, who is an outstanding specialist on sampling questions with regard to gtm. For example, if you are studying the level of customer satisfaction among elite nirvana bali golf club in bali, you will find it increasingly difficult. The sage encyclopedia of qualitative research methods. Snowball sampling is sometimes referred to as chain referral sampling. Problems and techniques of chain referral sampling.
Three methods dominate studies of hidden populations. Snowball sampling is a commonly employed sampling method in. Using social media and targeted snowball sampling to survey a. This approach allows you to utilise the original group as informants who can help in identifying additional people to interview who qualify for inclusion and these, in turn, identify yet. The chain referral process allows the researcher to reach populations that are difficult to sample when using other sampling methods. Creating a snowball sample to create a snowball sample, there are two steps. Stratified sampling selfselection sampling cluster sampling snowball sampling probability sampling 1. One research participant refers another, and that person refers another, and that person refers anotherthus a chain of potential participants is identified. After observing the initial subject, the researcher asks for assistance from the subject to help identify people with a similar trait of interest.
An advanced form of referralchain sampling designed to mitigate sampling bias. This sampling technique needs little planning and fewer workforce compared to other sampling techniques 1. In sociology and statistics research, snowball sampling or chain sampling, chain referral sampling, referral sampling is a nonprobability sampling technique where existing study subjects recruit future subjects from among their acquaintances. If youre interested in researching a specific group of people, like restaurant managers or crime victims, you need to recruit participants for your study. The construction of the sample was also revealing of the industry itself, with interviewee referral chains connecting individuals across firms, industry sectors, and. Confusion over the definition of snowball sampling reflects a phenom.
Snowball sampling is a nonprobability based sampling technique that can be used to gain access to such populations. Thus, this method is also called as the referral sampling method or chain. Advantages of snowball sampling the chain referral process allows the researcher to reach populations that are difficult to sample when using other sampling methods. Snowball sampling also known as chain referral sampling is a nonprobability nonrandom sampling method used when characteristics to be possessed by samples are rare and difficult to find. Comparing two sampling methods to engage hardtoreach. It begins with one or a few people or cases and spreads out on the basis of links to the initial cases. This article attempts to rectify this methodological neglect. Snowball sampling social research update university of surrey. However, for many populations of interest it is impractical or impossible to construct a sampling frame needed for the calculation of these probabilities. In two similar rural, predominantly hispanic counties, one of two sampling methods was selected for use in each community. Cluster sample a sampling method in which each unit selected is a group of persons all persons in a city block, a family, etc. Where to use snowball sampling for some populations, snowball sampling is the only viable sampling strategy because the study group is secretive or hard to reach because of social stigma, illegality of their work or lack of data. Snowball sampling method doesnt require a multifarious planning and the staff used is considerably smaller in comparison to other sampling methods.
The sampling in gtm is more complex than simple snowball sampling. Thus the sample group is said to grow like a rolling snowball. The researcher then observes the nominated subjects and continues in the same way until the obtaining sufficient number of subjects. This sampling technique needs little planning and fewer workforce compared to other sampling techniques. Engaging marginalized populations in holistic research abstract womanist and feminist qualitative researchers continue to identify research methods and techniques that harness the power of social networking and personal connections while. Enhancing the sample diversity of snowball samples. If the aim of a study is primarily explorative, qualitative and descriptive, then snowball sampling offers practical advantages hendricks, blanken and adriaans, 1992. In other words, snowball sampling method is a good mechanism to obtain additional referrals from respondents to generate additional interview participants. Snowball sampling, also known as chain referral sampling, is a nonprobability method of. Using social media and targeted snowball sampling to.
The term chain referral sampling has been used for snowball sam. The researcher follows this chain of contacts in order to identify and accumulate critical cases. This type of sampling technique works like chain referral. Snowball sampling in qualitative research sampling. Simple random sampling in this technique, each member of the population has an equal chance of being selected as subject. A sampling technique in which each unit in a population has a.
Snowball or chain sampling involves utilizing well informed people to identify critical cases or informants who have a great deal of information about a phenomenon. Snowball sampling is also called chain referral sampling. A single method solved both problems, and aided the author to interview over. Insights into new media use by international students. One problem with this technique is that the initial contacts may form the entire sample and exclude access to some members of the. In spite of the fact that chain referral sampling has been widely used in qualitative sociological research, especially in the study of deviant behavior, the problems. Perhaps, we need to find more innovative and relevant ways to collect data while mai ntaining appropriate research standards and rigor. In spite of the fact that chain referral sampling has been widely used in qualitative sociological. Used when a sampling frame not available or too expensive, and. Snowball sampling can be applied for two primary purposes. For example, if you are studying the level of customer satisfaction among elite nirvana bali golf club in bali, you will find it increasingly difficult to find primary data sources unless a member is.
Although snowball chain referral sampling has been widely used in qualitative sociological research, especially in the study of deviant behavior, the problems and techniques involved in its use have not been adequately. Snowball sampling uses a method beloved by sales people, where customer referrals to new prospects have particular value as the relationship of trust and obligation between the identified person and the referrer makes it more likely that the new person will make a purchase. Snowball samplingproblems and techniques of chain referral sampling. Snowball sampling problems and techniques of chain referral sampling patrick biernacki san francisco state university dan waldorf pacific institute for research and evaluation nowball or chain referral sampling is a method that has been widely used in qualitative sociological research. In addition to using this sampling strategy for potentially stigmatized populations, it is also a useful strategy. Snowball sampling, also known as chain referral sampling, is a nonprobability m ethod of. Jan 30, 2019 snowball sampling produced a data set that added value to extant archival and media sources, rendering detailed information about firm operations, strategies, and innovations. The best known approach is snowball sampling goodman 1961. Media and targeted snowball sampling 280 an expensive option for students and how much they learn about data collection techniques is debatable. Aug 01, 2011 the use of snowball sampling in research on hidden populations created a widespread perception of snowball sampling in particular and chainreferral methods in general as convenience sampling methods. Comparision of snowball sampling and sequential sampling. I will attend to the snowball sampling procedure through qualitative and feminist sensibilities, so as to draw snowball sampling into or under more nuanced hermeneutics.
It is useful when the researcher know little about a group or organisation. Pdf snowball sampling is a wellknown, nonprobability method of survey. Oct 28, 2016 in two similar rural, predominantly hispanic counties, one of two sampling methods was selected for use in each community. Chainreferral snowball sampling elite interviews qualitative research. The study of social organizations with survey methods. The snowball sampling is a nonrandom sampling technique wherein the initial informants are approached who through their social network nominate or refer the participants that meet the eligibility criteria of the research under study. In spite of the fact that chain referral sampling has been widely used in qualitative. Snowball sampling produced a data set that added value to extant archival and media sources, rendering detailed information about firm operations, strategies, and innovations. The article provides a description and analysis of some of the problems that were encountered and resolved in the course of using the method in a relatively large exploratory study of exopiate addicts. Enhancing the sample diversity of snowball samples plos. The method yields a study sample through referrals made among. The use of snowball sampling in research on hidden populations created a widespread perception of snowball sampling in particular and chainreferral methods in general as convenience sampling methods.
Snowball sampling or chain referral sampling is defined as a nonprobability sampling technique in which the samples have traits that are rare to find. Snowball sampling also known as chainreferral sampling is a nonprobability nonrandom sampling method used when characteristics to be possessed by samples are rare and difficult to find. This often occurs when the population is somehow marginalized, like homeless or formerly incarcerated individuals or those who are involved in illegal activities. Sociology at surrey university of surrey research socialupdate. Therefore, researchers generally employ nonprobability methods, including location sampling methods such as targeted sampling, and chainreferral methods such as snowball and respondentdriven sampling. Firstly, and most easily, as an informal method to reach a target population. A manual for selecting sampling techniques in research. The entire process of sampling is done in a single step with each subject selected independently of the other members of the.
Snowball sampling also called network, chain referral, or reputational sampling is a method for identifying and sampling the cases in a network. I will argue that when sampling methods are employed in qualitative research, they. This is a sampling technique, in which existing subjects provide referrals to recruit samples required for a research study. Jan 25, 2018 03 sampling nonprobability sampling convenience judgmental quota. Although snowball chain referral sampling has been widely used in qualitative sociological research, especially in the study of deviant behavior, the problems and.
1210 1204 658 278 657 1500 202 1436 140 25 582 729 1565 1305 670 1079 1308 795 753 857 521 1480 819 800 731 879 368 1104 319 1017 341 1470 864 185 1350 1416 8 24 1229 1033 381