受访者推动抽样:研究隐藏人口的方法与实践

Respondent-Driven Sampling:Method and Practice of Studying Hidden Populations

“隐藏人口”的特点是规模较小且成员一般不愿暴露身份,因此很难使用常规抽样方法对其进行研究。近年来出现了一种新的研究隐藏人口的方法——受访者推动抽样(RDS)方法,该方法在传统“雪球抽样”方法的基础上,结合社会网络分析的理论和方法,使研究者有可能根据样本对总体特征做出合理的推论。本文对RDS方法的理论渊源、基本思路、主要操作步骤和原理进行了简要介绍,并探讨了在实际操作过程中应注意的问题。

“Hidden populations” are characterized by their relative small sizes and the unwillingness of the members to be identified. Therefore, it is very difficult to study them by the regular sampling methods. A new sampling method known as respondent-driven sampling (RDS) has emerged in recent years to study hidden populations. Based on the traditional “snowball” sampling method and with the help of social network analysis theories and methods, RDS enables researchers to properly estimate the characteristics of a hidden population from its sample(s). This paper briefly describes the theoretical and methodological backgrounds, basic ideas, major principles, and operational procedures of RDS. It also discusses the problem areas when RDS is actually practiced.