Snowball sampling
From Coastal Wiki
Objectives
Snowball sampling is designed to identify people with particular knowledge, skills or characteristics that are needed as part of a committee and/or consultative process. Using this approach, a few potential respondents are contacted and asked whether they know of anybody with the characteristics that you are looking for in your research.
Method
- Draft up a participation program (likely to be subject to change, but indicative).
- Approach stakeholders and ask for contacts.
- Gain contacts and ask them to participate.
- Community issues groups may emerge that can be included in the participation program.
- Continue the snowballing with contacts to gain more stakeholders if necessary.
- Ensure a diversity of contacts by widening the profile of persons involved in the snowballing exercise.
