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How to survey hard-to-reach populations : a practical guide to app-based respondent-driven sampling
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1028-3625
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EUI; RSC; Working Paper; 2024/23; Migration Policy Centre
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PEITZ, Laura Francesca, STACHE, Randy, JOHNSON, Lisa, How to survey hard-to-reach populations : a practical guide to app-based respondent-driven sampling, EUI, RSC, Working Paper, 2024/23, Migration Policy Centre - https://hdl.handle.net/1814/77078
Abstract
Target populations that are hidden, elusive, and marginalized are usually hard-to-reach for (sur-vey) research. To overcome the difficulties in reaching such target groups, we propose an inno-vative digital adaption of respondent-driven sampling (RDS). This paper introduces a novel fully app-based RDS approach for collecting high-quality data on particularly hard-to-reach target groups. Based on specific examples from our own research with rejected asylum seekers from West Africa living in Germany, we offer practical guidance along four steps of implementing an RDS smartphone app, from getting to know one’s target group, over the formative assessment, app development, and data collection and analysis. Thereby, we reflect practical, technical, and ethical challenges that need to be considered. Proposing feasible solutions for others to implement this innovative approach, we advance the methods for researching particularly hard-to-reach groups.