Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhen to Use ItIs Snowball Sampling Qualitative or Quantitative?How It WorksPros and ConsExamplesSnowball Sampling StepsRole in Modern ResearchTakeaway

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

When to Use It

Is Snowball Sampling Qualitative or Quantitative?

How It Works

Pros and Cons

Examples

Snowball Sampling Steps

Role in Modern Research

Takeaway

Close

Snowball sampling is a recruitment technique in which current research participants are enlisted to help recruit other potential study participants. This involves tapping into each participant’s social network to find more subjects for a study. It allows researchers to find subjects who belong to a specific population who might not otherwise volunteer or seek out study participation.

As the name suggests, snowball sampling starts small and slowly “snowballs” into a larger sample. It is sometimes referred to as chain sampling, referral sampling, respondent-driven sampling, or chain-referral sampling.

At a GlanceSnowball sampling is a non-probability method allowing researchers to tap into hard-to-reach populations. Often used in qualitative designs, it allows researchers to recruit participants through referrals. This can be beneficial because it helps connect researchers with individuals they might not otherwise reach, but it can also contribute to sample bias and make it difficult to generalize the results to a larger population.

At a Glance

Snowball sampling is a non-probability method allowing researchers to tap into hard-to-reach populations. Often used in qualitative designs, it allows researchers to recruit participants through referrals. This can be beneficial because it helps connect researchers with individuals they might not otherwise reach, but it can also contribute to sample bias and make it difficult to generalize the results to a larger population.

When to Use Snowball Sampling in Psychology Research

In most cases, researchers want to draw a sample that is both random and representative. Random selection ensures that each member of a group has an equal chance of being chosen, while representativeness ensures that the sample is an accurate reflection of the population as a whole.

While ideal, getting a random, representative sample isn’t always possible. In such cases, researchers might turn to another method such as snowball sampling.

There are a number of situations where snowball sampling might be appropriate. These include:

Is Snowball Sampling Qualitative or Quantitative?Snowball sampling is commonly used in qualitative research.It uses a non-probability sampling method and is often used in studies where researchers are trying to explore different psychological phenomena and gain insights. Sample sizes may be smaller in this type of research, but often results in contextually-rich data. This can help researchers understand the nuances of what they are studying in a specific population.

Snowball sampling is commonly used in qualitative research.It uses a non-probability sampling method and is often used in studies where researchers are trying to explore different psychological phenomena and gain insights. Sample sizes may be smaller in this type of research, but often results in contextually-rich data. This can help researchers understand the nuances of what they are studying in a specific population.

How Snowball Sampling Works

Each individual approached for participation is also asked to provide information on potential candidates. This process is continued until enough subjects have been located.

Pros and Cons of Snowball Sampling

Snowball sampling can have some pros and cons. Before using this approach, researchers should carefully weigh the potential advantages against the possible disadvantages and be transparent about any resulting limitations of the findings.

Advantages of Snowball Sampling

Snowball sampling can be particularly important when researchers are dealing with an uncommon or rare phenomenon. Traditional recruitment methods might simply not be able to locate asufficient sample size.

It can also be helpful when participants are difficult to locate. This can include situations where people might be reticent about volunteering information about themselves or identifying themselves publicly. Because snowball sampling relies on recruiting people via trusted individuals, people may be more willing to participate.

Because snowball sampling provides essential information about the structure of social networks and connections, it can also be a helpful way of looking at the dynamics of the group itself.

Limitations of Snowball Sampling

The problem with snowball sampling is that it can contribute tobias.The opinions and characteristics of the initial members of the sample influence all of the subsequent subjects who are chosen to become part of the study.

This can make it more difficult for researchers to determine who might be missing from their sample and the factors contributing to that exclusion. Somevariablesmight make it less likely for certain people to be referred, which can bias the study outcomes.

Another problem with snowball sampling is that it is difficult to know the size of the total overall population. It’s also challenging to determine whether the sample accurately represents the population. If the sample only reflects a few people in the group, it might not be indicative of what is actually going on within the larger group.

Research suggests this sampling method can be a cost-effective way to collect data. However, researchers also caution that it can introduce bias, which means that caution must be used when interpreting the results of studies relying on snowball sampling.

Examples of Snowball Sampling

To understand how snowball sampling can be used in psychology research, looking at a few different examples can be helpful.

LGBTQIA+ Youth

Mental Health of Specific Populations

Online Communities

Steps to Conduct Snowball Sampling

To conduct a snowball sample, researchers often use the following steps:

The Role of Snowball Sampling in Modern Research

While snowball sampling has its limitations, it plays an important role inmodern psychology research. In particular, it can help researchers make contact with vulnerable or marginalized populations who are often overlooked and left out of more traditional sampling methods.

This technique can help researchers connect with the members of communities who may be hesitant to participate due to discrimination or thestigmaassociated with their condition.

It can also be a way for researchers to investigate phenomena that may be newly emerging and that might not yet be detectable using other sampling techniques.

Given the importance of social networks in today’s highly connected work, snowball sampling also gives researchers a unique opportunity to examine how individuals connect to their communities. Researchers can use the information they collect to re-trace connections, providing valuable insights into how relationships and social dynamics affect the phenomena they study.

Snowball sampling is one method that psychology researchers may use to recruit study participants. While it has a greater risk of bias than drawing arandom,representative sample, it does have some essential benefits. In particular, it can be a cost-effective way for researchers to find participants who belong to hidden or hard-to-reach populations. Despite the limitations of snowball sampling, it can play an important role in helping scientists learn more about emerging phenomena and populations that face stigma and marginalization.

Convenience Sampling in Psychology Research

5 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Crawford FW, Wu J, Heimer R.Hidden population size estimation from respondent-driven sampling: a network approach.J Am Stat Assoc. 2018;113(522):755-766. doi:10.1080/01621459.2017.1285775Raina SK.Establishing association.Indian J Med Res. 2015;141(1):127. doi:10.4103/0971-5916.154519Kirchherr J, Charles K.Enhancing the sample diversity of snowball samples: Recommendations from a research project on anti-dam movements in Southeast Asia.PLoS One. 2018;13(8):e0201710. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0201710Martínez-Mesa J, González-Chica DA, Duquia RP, Bonamigo RR, Bastos JL.Sampling: how to select participants in my research study?An Bras Dermatol. 2016;91(3):326-330. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20165254Badowski G, Somera LP, Simsiman B, et al.The efficacy of respondent-driven sampling for the health assessment of minority populations.Cancer Epidemiol. 2017;50(Pt B):214-220. doi:10.1016/j.canep.2017.07.006

5 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Crawford FW, Wu J, Heimer R.Hidden population size estimation from respondent-driven sampling: a network approach.J Am Stat Assoc. 2018;113(522):755-766. doi:10.1080/01621459.2017.1285775Raina SK.Establishing association.Indian J Med Res. 2015;141(1):127. doi:10.4103/0971-5916.154519Kirchherr J, Charles K.Enhancing the sample diversity of snowball samples: Recommendations from a research project on anti-dam movements in Southeast Asia.PLoS One. 2018;13(8):e0201710. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0201710Martínez-Mesa J, González-Chica DA, Duquia RP, Bonamigo RR, Bastos JL.Sampling: how to select participants in my research study?An Bras Dermatol. 2016;91(3):326-330. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20165254Badowski G, Somera LP, Simsiman B, et al.The efficacy of respondent-driven sampling for the health assessment of minority populations.Cancer Epidemiol. 2017;50(Pt B):214-220. doi:10.1016/j.canep.2017.07.006

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Crawford FW, Wu J, Heimer R.Hidden population size estimation from respondent-driven sampling: a network approach.J Am Stat Assoc. 2018;113(522):755-766. doi:10.1080/01621459.2017.1285775Raina SK.Establishing association.Indian J Med Res. 2015;141(1):127. doi:10.4103/0971-5916.154519Kirchherr J, Charles K.Enhancing the sample diversity of snowball samples: Recommendations from a research project on anti-dam movements in Southeast Asia.PLoS One. 2018;13(8):e0201710. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0201710Martínez-Mesa J, González-Chica DA, Duquia RP, Bonamigo RR, Bastos JL.Sampling: how to select participants in my research study?An Bras Dermatol. 2016;91(3):326-330. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20165254Badowski G, Somera LP, Simsiman B, et al.The efficacy of respondent-driven sampling for the health assessment of minority populations.Cancer Epidemiol. 2017;50(Pt B):214-220. doi:10.1016/j.canep.2017.07.006

Crawford FW, Wu J, Heimer R.Hidden population size estimation from respondent-driven sampling: a network approach.J Am Stat Assoc. 2018;113(522):755-766. doi:10.1080/01621459.2017.1285775

Raina SK.Establishing association.Indian J Med Res. 2015;141(1):127. doi:10.4103/0971-5916.154519

Kirchherr J, Charles K.Enhancing the sample diversity of snowball samples: Recommendations from a research project on anti-dam movements in Southeast Asia.PLoS One. 2018;13(8):e0201710. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0201710

Martínez-Mesa J, González-Chica DA, Duquia RP, Bonamigo RR, Bastos JL.Sampling: how to select participants in my research study?An Bras Dermatol. 2016;91(3):326-330. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20165254

Badowski G, Somera LP, Simsiman B, et al.The efficacy of respondent-driven sampling for the health assessment of minority populations.Cancer Epidemiol. 2017;50(Pt B):214-220. doi:10.1016/j.canep.2017.07.006

Meet Our Review Board

Share Feedback

Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

What is your feedback?