Editing Snowball sampling (section)

===Disadvantages===

# '''Community bias''': The first participants will have a strong impact on the sample. Snowball sampling is inexact and can produce varied and inaccurate results. The method is heavily reliant on the skill of the individual conducting the actual sampling, and that individual's ability to vertically network and find an appropriate sample. To be successful it requires previous contacts within the target areas, and the ability to keep the information flow going throughout the target group.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://research-methodology.net/sampling-in-primary-data-collection/snowball-sampling/|title=Snowball sampling}}</ref>
# '''Non-random''': Snowball sampling contravenes many of the assumptions supporting conventional notions of random selection and representativeness.<ref>{{cite book|last1= Atkinson|first1= Rowland | last2=Flint | first2=John | year=2004 |title=Encyclopedia of Social Science Research Methods |isbn= 9780761923633 | pages= 1044–1045|publisher= SAGE Publications, Inc.}}</ref> However, social systems are beyond researchers' ability to recruit randomly. Snowball sampling is inevitable in social systems.
# '''Unknown sampling population size''': There is no way to know the total size of the overall population.<ref name="Morgan"/>
# '''[[Anchoring]]''': Another disadvantage of snowball sampling is the lack of definite knowledge as to whether or not the sample is an accurate reading of the target population. By targeting only a few select people, it is not always indicative of the actual trends within the result group. Identifying the appropriate person to conduct the sampling, as well as locating the correct targets is a time-consuming process such that the benefits only slightly outweigh the costs.
# '''Lack of control over sampling method''': As the subjects locate the hidden population, the research has very little control over the sampling method, which becomes mainly dependent on the original and subsequent subjects, who may add to the known sampling pool using a method outside of the researcher's control.