scispace - formally typeset
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
Reads0
Chats0
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.

read more

Citations
More filters
Proceedings ArticleDOI

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.
Journal ArticleDOI

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.
Journal ArticleDOI

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
More filters
Journal ArticleDOI

Respondent-driven sampling to recruit MDMA users: a methodological assessment.

TL;DR: The results show that the sample compositions converged to equilibrium within a limited number of recruitment waves, independent of the characteristics of the initial recruits, and demonstrate that RDS is a flexible and robust sampling method.
Journal ArticleDOI

Improving the Quality of Shopping Center Sampling

TL;DR: In this paper, procedures for careful shopping center sampling are described for careful sampling of shopping centers, which is a popular technique because of low costs, but typical procedures are haphazard and thus generalization is difficult.
Journal Article

Street and network sampling in evaluation studies of HIV risk-reduction interventions.

TL;DR: The four strategies used for street and network sampling that have been reported in the HIV-intervention research literature and used because traditional probability sampling was not possible are assessed.
Journal ArticleDOI

New developments in the sampling of special populations

TL;DR: In this article, the authors discuss the use of single or multiple lists, even when incomplete, along with supplementary measures using telephone and mail techniques, for careful sampling of special populations.
Journal ArticleDOI

Gender differences in the creation of different types of social capital : A multilevel study

TL;DR: Men were shown to be more effective in creating hard social capital, but, unexpectedly, women were not found to be the emotional specialists they often are thought to be.
Related Papers (5)
Trending Questions (1)
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.