Which of these statements does NOT describe snowball sampling correctly?

A. It is a non-probability sampling technique.
B. It is used when the target population is readily available.
C. Initial participants refer others to take part in the study.
D. It ensures equal chance of selection for all individuals.
E. It is commonly used in sociological and qualitative research.

Options:

Correct option is B

The correct answer is B and D Only. Here's why:

• B - It is used when the target population is readily available: This is not correct for snowball sampling. Snowball sampling is typically used when the target population is hard to access or difficult to locate, such as in niche or hidden populations (e.g., drug users, marginalized groups, or specific subcultures).
• D - It ensures equal chance of selection for all individuals: This is also incorrect. Snowball sampling is a non-probability sampling technique, meaning it does not ensure an equal chance of selection for all individuals. Instead, participants are recruited through referrals, which can lead to biases in the sample.

Explanation of Other Statements:

• A - It is a non-probability sampling technique: This is correct. Snowball sampling is indeed a non-probability sampling technique where participants are selected based on referrals from initial subjects.
• C - Initial participants refer others to take part in the study: This is correct. In snowball sampling, initial participants (also known as "seeds") refer other participants who meet the study’s criteria, and those referred participants may further refer others.
• E - It is commonly used in sociological and qualitative research: This is correct. Snowball sampling is widely used in sociological and qualitative research, especially when studying populations that are not easily accessible or are hidden.

Information Booster:

1. Snowball sampling is most effective when the research population is hard to identify or reach, such as subcultures or specific groups in society.
2. As a non-probability sampling technique, it does not offer a random selection, which may introduce bias, making it difficult to generalize results to the entire population.
3. While snowball sampling is valuable for exploring specific groups or phenomena in depth, it can lead to issues of representativeness and bias due to the referral-based approach.

Additional Knowledge:

• Snowball sampling is particularly useful for studies involving hard-to-reach populations, such as individuals with rare diseases, hidden populations (e.g., people involved in illicit activities), or people with niche interests.