Poster Presentation
Thursday, 20 July 2006
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Thursday, 20 July 2006
3:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Respondent-Driven Sampling: A Rigorous and Practical Sampling Method for Nursing Research
Olga Jarrín, RN, BSN, School of Nursing, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| Learning Objective #1: Describe the advantages of respondent-driven sampling compared with other sampling methods. |
| Learning Objective #2: Outline the basic recruitment and analyses steps for a respondent-driven sample. |
Respondent-driven sampling (RDS) is a relatively new probability sampling method developed by Heckathorn, which has the potential to revolutionize nursing research.
An initial set up subjects or “seeds” selected by the researcher are invited to recruit additional participants through their personal networks. This process is repeated and after 3-5 waves the sample will begin to have the characteristics and properties of a sample drawn at random from the target population. At first glance RDS appears similar to chain-referral or snowball sampling, however the difference lies in the recruitment process, which reduces bias through primary and secondary incentives and allows the calculation of selection probabilities. External validity is high as recruitment is not limited to subgroup members who are accessible to the researcher, but rather extends the sample to all potential members of a subgroup by accessing respondents through their social networks. Additional features of RDS include utility for estimation of hidden population size, the study of social structure, and the study of social inequality. This development in sampling methodology has implications for the design of future research studies, including meta-analyses, and also has implications for consumers of research who are attempting to determine if the results of a study can be generalized to their population of interest. Examples from previous and planned research will be used to illustrate the benefits and challenges of respondent driven sampling for nursing research.
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