Applying Respondent Driven Sampling to Migrant Populations Lessons from the Field

Respondent Driven Sampling is an innovative sampling method that utilizes social networks to identify, survey and provide representative estimates of hard-to-reach populations. Most widely used in public health research of HIV high risk populations, RDS has, in recent years, expanded into other fields, including migration research. While the methodology in many ways is well suited for studying migrants, there are a number of unique challenges when applying this method to this population. This book provides a thorough introduction to the theoretical and practical aspects of RDS methodology by drawing upon the experiences of experts in the field as well as pioneers that have applied RDS methodology to migrant populations. The book consists of seven substantive chapters covering the various phases of survey planning, implementation and analysis. Examples from surveys already conducted among migrant populations are used to illustrate the key opportunities and challenges faced when using RDS in this population. Overall, this book is an essential tool for those interested in exploring the use of RDS to sample and analyse data from migrant populations.

Guri Tyldum is a Sociologist and Research Fellow at Fafo Institute for Labour and Social Research, Norway.

Lisa G. Johnston is an Epidemiologist and Independent Consultant with affiliations at the University of California and Tulane University, USA.

Introduction; Lisa Johnston and Guri Tyldum

1. Sampling Migrants: How Respondent Driven Sampling Works; Lisa Johnston

2. RDS and the Structure of Migrant Populations; Jon Horgen Friberg and Cindy Horst

3. Measuring Personal Network Size in RDS; Lisa G. Johnston, Leila Rodriguez and Joanna Napierala

4. Initiation of the RDS Recruitment Process: Seed Selection and Role; Agnieszka Kubal, Inna Shvab and Anna Wojtynska

5. Deciding on and Distributing Incentives in RDS; Guri Tyldum, Leila Rodriguez, Ingunn Bjørkhaug and Anna Wojtynska

6. Formative Assessment, Data Collection and Parallel Monitoring for RDS Fieldwork; Jane Montealegre, Antje Röder, and Rojan Ezzati

7. Analyzing Data in RDS; Lisa Kohnston and Renee Luthra

Appendix I. Summary Of RDS Surveys Referenced
Appendix II. Overview Of The Development Of The Different RDS Estimators, Their Specific Features And The Software Available For Their Use