Snowball

Question 1

This method is commonly used in social sciences when investigating hard-to-reach groups.

Answer 1

Snowball sampling

Question 2

Existing subjects are asked to nominate further subjects known to them, so the sample increases in size like a rolling snowball.

Answer 2

Snowball sampling

Question 3

can be effective when a sampling frame is difficult to identify.

Answer 3

Snowball sampling

Question 4

However, by selecting friends and acquaintances of subjects already investigated, there is a significant risk of selection bias (choosing many people with similar characteristics or views to the initial individual identified).

Answer 4

Snowball sampling

Question 5

Medical researchers use ——— to collect responses from patients with rare diseases. Suppose you are researching the symptoms of a condition like a porphyria. People with this disease might be unwilling to speak with a researcher about their illness. However, with snowball sampling, you can use the chain-referral system to draw them out and gather the data you need.

Suppose you are conducting a study on the homeless in society. It may be difficult to obtain a list of homeless individuals and their contact information. However, if you can get in touch with a handful of homeless individuals, they could help refer other homeless people for your study.

Answer 5

Snowball sampling