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Journal ArticleDOI

Web-Based Network Sampling: Efficiency and Efficacy of Respondent-Driven Sampling for Online Research

Cyprian Wejnert, +1 more
- 01 Aug 2008 - 
- Vol. 37, Iss: 1, pp 105-134
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TLDR
Web-based RDS (WebRDS) is found to be highly efficient and effective and methods for testing the validity of assumptions required by RDS estimation are presented.
Abstract
This study tests the feasibility, effectiveness, and efficiency of respondent-driven sampling (RDS) as a Web-based sampling method. Web-based RDS (WebRDS) is found to be highly efficient and effective. The online nature of WebRDS allows referral chains to progress very quickly, such that studies with large samples can be expected to proceed up to 20 times faster than with traditional sampling methods. Additionally, the unhidden nature of the study population allows comparison of RDS estimators to institutional data. Results indicate that RDS estimates are reasonable but not precise. This is likely due to bias associated with the random recruitment assumption and small sample size of the study. Finally, this article presents methods for testing the validity of assumptions required by RDS estimation.

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Citations
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Random graphs

TL;DR: Some of the major results in random graphs and some of the more challenging open problems are reviewed, including those related to the WWW.
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Summary Report of the AAPOR Task Force on Non-probability Sampling

TL;DR: A wide range of non-probability designs exist and are being used in various settings, including case control studies, clinical trials, evaluation research, and more.
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Respondent‐driven sampling: an assessment of current methodology

TL;DR: In this article, the authors evaluate three critical sensitivities of the estimators: to bias induced by the initial sample, to uncontrollable features of respondent behavior, and to the without-replacement structure of sampling.
Posted Content

Respondent-Driven Sampling: An Assessment of Current Methodology

TL;DR: It is indicated that the convenience sample of seeds can induce bias, and the number of sample waves typically used in RDS is likely insufficient for the type of nodal mixing required to obtain the reputed asymptotic unbiasedness.
Journal ArticleDOI

Assessing respondent-driven sampling

TL;DR: Investigating the performance of RDS by simulating sampling from 85 known, network populations finds that RDS is substantially less accurate than generally acknowledged and that reported RDS confidence intervals are misleadingly narrow.
References
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Journal ArticleDOI

Comparing Two Methods for Estimating Network Size

TL;DR: In this article, the authors compare two methods for estimating the size of personal networks using a nationally representative sample of the United States and conclude that both methods rely on the ability of respondents to estimate the number of people they know in specific sub-populations of the U.S. (e.g., diabetics, Native Americans) and people in particular relation categories (i.e., immediate family, coworkers).
Journal ArticleDOI

Time-space sampling in minority communities: results with young Latino men who have sex with men.

TL;DR: Time-space sampling of a relatively "hidden" minority young MSM population can be successful across a range of venues, however, the benefits of greater outreach must be weighed against the costs incurred recruiting participants in nongay venues.
Journal ArticleDOI

From networks to populations: the development and application of respondent-driven sampling among IDUs and Latino gay men.

TL;DR: Assessment of the feasibility and effectiveness of Respondent-Driven Sampling to sample Latino gay men and transgender persons found RDS showed broader population coverage than TLS, especially among individuals at high risk for HIV.
Journal ArticleDOI

Effectiveness of respondent-driven sampling for recruiting drug users in New York City: findings from a pilot study.

TL;DR: Findings from a pilot study conducted to assess the effectiveness of Respondent-driven sampling to recruit a large and diversified group of drug users in New York City indicate that RDS is an effective sampling method for recruiting diversified drug users to participate in HIV-related behavioral surveys.
Journal ArticleDOI

Sampling rare and elusive populations.

TL;DR: The sampling of rare and elusive populations is difficult because the costs of locating such populations are substantial and can exceed actual interviewing costs, but there are efficient probability methods that have been developed recently that reduce these costs.
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What is referral sampling in research?

Referral sampling, also known as respondent-driven sampling (RDS), is a method in research where participants are recruited through referrals from existing participants.