The selection of respondents should be guided by specific criteria to ensure the validity and reliability of the data collected, considering factors such as diversity, eligibility, and the specific needs of the study.

Key Insights

• Diversity and Representation:

  • It is crucial to stratify a quota sample based on respondent characteristics to cover a variety of respondent types, especially when resources are limited
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  • Reporting on age, risk behavior, and reference period of risk behavior is nearly universal, but other factors like gender, geography, and language are less commonly reported, which can impede comparisons across surveys
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• Eligibility Criteria:

  • Eligibility criteria should be clearly defined to improve consistency and comparability across surveys
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  • Factors such as cultural adaptation, institutional credibility, public trust, and data protection are essential in determining the acceptability of recruitment methods
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• Specific Needs of the Study:

  • The selection criteria should align with the specific objectives of the study, such as focusing on particular demographic groups or behaviors
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  • For example, in studies involving respondent-driven sampling (RDS), it is important to ensure that respondents are linked by the target attribute to facilitate effective recruitment
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Conclusion

Selecting respondents requires careful consideration of diversity, clear eligibility criteria, and alignment with the study's specific needs to ensure the collection of valid and reliable data.