What is snowball random sampling?

Snowball random sampling is a non-probability sampling technique where participants are recruited through referrals.

Snowball random sampling is a type of non-probability sampling technique used in research studies. It involves recruiting participants through referrals from other participants. This method is often used when the population being studied is difficult to access or when the researcher is interested in a specific sub-group within the population.

To conduct snowball random sampling, the researcher identifies a few initial participants who meet the inclusion criteria for the study. These participants are then asked to refer other individuals who may also meet the inclusion criteria. This process continues until the desired sample size is reached.

One advantage of snowball random sampling is that it can be a cost-effective and efficient way to recruit participants. It can also be useful when studying hard-to-reach populations, such as individuals with rare diseases or those who engage in stigmatized behaviors.

However, snowball random sampling also has some limitations. It can lead to biased samples if the initial participants are not representative of the population being studied. Additionally, the sample size may be limited by the number of referrals obtained, which can affect the generalizability of the findings.

Overall, snowball random sampling can be a useful technique in certain research contexts, but it is important for researchers to carefully consider its strengths and limitations before using it.