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Respondent Driven Sampling

Author

Listed:
  • Matthias Schonlau
  • Elisabeth Liebau

Abstract

Respondent driven sampling (RDS) is a network sampling technique typically employed for hard-to-reach populations (e.g. drug users, men who have sex with men, people with HIV). Similar to snowball sampling, initial seed respondents recruit additional respondents from their network of friends. The recruiting process repeats iteratively, thereby forming long referral chains. Unlike in snowball sampling, it is crucial to obtain estimates of respondents' personal network size (i.e., number of acquaintances in the target population) and information about who recruited whom. Markov chain theory makes it possible to derive population estimates and sampling weights. We introduce a new Stata program for RDS and illustrate its use.

Suggested Citation

  • Matthias Schonlau & Elisabeth Liebau, 2010. "Respondent Driven Sampling," Discussion Papers of DIW Berlin 1048, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research.
    • Handle: RePEc:diw:diwwpp:dp1048
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    File URL: https://www.diw.de/documents/publikationen/73/diw_01.c.359430.de/dp1048.pdf
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    survey methodology; Stata software; chain referral sampling;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C83 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Data Collection and Data Estimation Methodology; Computer Programs - - - Survey Methods; Sampling Methods
    • C88 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Data Collection and Data Estimation Methodology; Computer Programs - - - Other Computer Software

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