SNOWBALL SAMPLING

Snowball sampling is a non-probability

method for acquiring a sample that uses
participants to recruit additional
participants.

This sampling method involves primary data sources

nominating another potential primary data sources to be
used in the research. In other words, snowball sampling
method is based on referrals from initial subjects to
generate additional subjects. Therefore, when applying this
sampling method members of the sample group are
recruited via chain referral

Snowball sampling is used when researchers

have difficulty finding participants for their
studies. This typically occurs in studies on hidden
populations, such as criminals, drug dealers, or
sex workers, as these individuals tend to be
difficult for researchers to access.
 HOW TO USE SNOWBALL
SAMPLING
STEP STEP STEP
1 2 3

researchers will ask

researchers will those subjects to
form an initial recruit other Current participants
individuals for the will continue to
sample by drafting
study. They recruit recruit others
any potential
subjects by until the
subjects from a
encouraging them to necessary sample
population. come forward on their size has been
own reached.
THREE PATTERS OF SNOWBALL
SAMPLING
Exponencial Discriminative
Subjects give multiple referrals, however, only one
new subject is recruited among them. The choice 3
of a new subject is guided by the aim and
objectives of the study

Exponencial Non-Discriminative
2 The first subject recruited to the sample group provides
multiple referrals. Each new referral is explored until primary
data from sufficient amount of samples are collected.

Linear snowball sampling

1 Formation of a sample group starts with only one subject and the
subject provides only one referral. The referral is recruited
into the sample group and he/she also provides only one new
referral. This pattern is continued until the sample group is
fully formed.
EXAMPLE OF DIFFERENT STUDY
FOR SNOWBALL SAMPLING
EXAMPLE #1
Studying illegal drug users over the age of 40

EXAMPLE #2
Obtaining samples of populations at risk for HIV .

EXAMPLE #3
Researching non‐heterosexual women using social
networks

EXAMPLE #4
Identifying Argentinian immigrant entrepreneurs in
Spain
• Enables access to hidden

populations ADVANTAGES

• Avoids risk

• Saves money and time

• Non-random

DISADVANTAGES • Community Bias

• Unknown sampling population
size
• Lack of control over sampling
method:
 Self Selection

a type of non-probability
Also known as sampling technique. Non-
“self-selection bias” probability sampling
focuses on sampling
techniques that are based on
the judgement of the
researcher

Respondents
Self-selection bias occurs when
themselves decide participants differ in some way from
that they would like nonparticipants. This makes your
to be a part of the sample unrepresentative of your
population of interest.
study
EXAMPLE OF SELF-SELECTION STUDY
EXAMPLE #1
Suppose you are surveying high school English students. You ask them to
rate the books they read throughout the academic year, but you make
participation optional.
Because of that, students who either strongly enjoyed or hated the books are
more likely to fill in the survey. Students who didn’t feel strongly about the
books are less likely to participate in the survey. Co
nt
As a result, your sample will comprise mostly those with strong opinions and en
will not be representative of all students. By allowing students to choose ts
0 1
whether to participate, you have allowed self-selection bias to occur.

EXAMPLE #2
News organizations often run polls on social media or their own websites about
controversial topics, such as gun control or immigration. After the poll is closed, they
report on the results using phrases like “this is what you really think,” “how our
viewers felt,” or “what parents think.”
However, these surveys suffer from self-selection bias, because those who feel animated
enough by the topic to participate are more likely to do so.
Additionally, it is very challenging to verify that respondents really belong to the Co
nt
intended population. For example, there is no way to easily verify whether respondents en
to a social media poll about parenting are actually parents. ts
As a result, these polls tend to overrepresent individuals who have strong opinions, and 0 2
they are unlikely to accurately reflect public opinion—even with a sample size in the
thousands.
THANK YOU
PRESENTED BY: AILA N. OMAQUE