Quantity Versus Quality: A Survey Experiment to Improve the Network Scale-up Method.

ABSTRACT: The network scale-up method is a promising technique that uses sampled social network data to estimate the sizes of epidemiologically important hidden populations, such as sex workers and people who inject illicit drugs. Although previous scale-up research has focused exclusively on networks of acquaintances, we show that the type of personal network about which survey respondents are asked to report is a potentially crucial parameter that researchers are free to vary. This generalization leads to a method that is more flexible and potentially more accurate. In 2011, we conducted a large, nationally representative survey experiment in Rwanda that randomized respondents to report about one of 2 different personal networks. Our results showed that asking respondents for less information can,

SUBMITTER: Feehan DM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4832053 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature