| Título: |
Online mixted sampling: An application in hidden populations Muestreo mixto online: Una aplicación en poblaciones ocultas Online mixted sampling: An application in hidden populations |
| Autores: |
Baltar, Fabiola; Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata Gorjup, María Tatiana; Universitat Rovira i Virgili |
| Fecha: | 2012-04-28 |
| Publicador: | Intangible capital |
| Fuente: |
 |
| Tipo: |
info:eu-repo/semantics/article info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion |
| Tema: |
virtual sampling, hidden populations, mixed methods M13, Z13 muestreo virtual, poblaciones ocultas, métodos mixtos M13, Z13 virtual sampling, hidden populations, mixed methods M13, Z13 |
| Descripción: |
Objeto: El objetivo de este artículo es explorar las posibilidades que ofrecen las nuevas tecnologías de información y la aparición de las redes sociales virtuales, para el reclutamiento de unidades muestrales en poblaciones ocultas y como soporte del uso de métodos mixtos.Diseño/metodología/enfoque: El objetivo era identificar a los empresarios argentinos que iniciaron negocios en España. Esta unidad de observación, presenta características que la definen como población oculta: 1) elevada dispersión geográfica que dificulta su localización; 2) subestimación en el número de argentinos residentes en las estadísticas oficiales; 3) argentinos residentes en situación ilegal; y, 4) en muchos casos los factores que motivaron la emigración son negativos, por lo que genera reticencia a contestar. En este contexto, se desarrolló (1) el muestreo virtual online y (2) el muestreo por bola de nieve tradicional. En el muestreo virtual online se utilizó la red social Facebook, mediante la cual se identificaron 52 grupos virtuales que nuclean a argentinos que viven en España. Posteriormente, se envío a cada miembro un mensaje personal explicando el propósito del estudio e invitándolos a participar en el mismo.Aportaciones y resultados: A través de la realización del estudio, se comprueba que mediante el uso de redes sociales es posible acceder a unidades de observación que no se hubieran detectado por vías institucionales (registros administrativos, censos, etc.). Este resultado demuestra que este tipo de herramientas, contribuyen a incrementar el alcance geográfico y el tamaño de la muestra, favorecen al diseño de la muestra cualitativa y la triangulación de resultados, aumentando la validez de los estudios de poblaciones ocultas.Originalidad / Valor añadido: El artículo presenta una experiencia de aplicación de muestreo virtual y métodos mixtos en el estudio de poblaciones ocultas, a partir del análisis del empresariado inmigrante argentino y utilizando como fuentes de información los grupos virtuales. Purpose: The objective of the article is to explore the possibilities offered by new technologies and virtual social networks for the recruitment of sampling units in hidden populations and as a support of the use of mixed methods.Design/methodology: The objective was to identify Argentinean entrepreneurs who start their business in Spain. The observation unit has the characteristics of a hidden population: 1) high geographic dispersion which makes it difficult to localize them; 2) underestimation of the size of Argentinean residents in the official statistics; 3) Argentinean residents in illegal situation; and, 4) in some cases, the factors that led the emigration were negative, making them reluctant to answer. In this context, the researchers used (1) an online virtual sampling and, (2) the traditional snowball sampling. The online virtual sampling was carried out by using a social network (Facebook) through which 52 virtual groups of ‘Argentinean living in Spain’ were identified. Subsequently, each member was contacted by an individual message which explained the aim of the research and invited them to participate in the study. Findings: Through the development of this study, it was possible to prove that the use of virtual groups in social networks led to detect observation units that are not registered officially (administrative register, census, etc.). This finding contributed to increase the scope and size of the sample, it favoured the design of the qualitative sample and the triangulation of the results. Therefore, it increased the validity of the hidden population.Originality/value: The article presents an experience of application of virtual sampling and mixed methods in the study of hidden populations. In particular, it analysed Argentinean immigrant entrepreneurs by using virtual groups as a source of information. Purpose: The objective of the article is to explore the possibilities offered by new technologies and virtual social networks for the recruitment of sampling units in hidden populations and as a support of the use of mixed methods.Design/methodology: The objective was to identify Argentinean entrepreneurs who start their business in Spain. The observation unit has the characteristics of a hidden population: 1) high geographic dispersion which makes it difficult to localize them; 2) underestimation of the size of Argentinean residents in the official statistics; 3) Argentinean residents in illegal situation; and, 4) in some cases, the factors that led the emigration were negative, making them reluctant to answer. In this context, the researchers used (1) an online virtual sampling and, (2) the traditional snowball sampling. The online virtual sampling was carried out by using a social network (Facebook) through which 52 virtual groups of ‘Argentinean living in Spain’ were identified. Subsequently, each member was contacted by an individual message which explained the aim of the research and invited them to participate in the study.Findings: Through the development of this study, it was possible to prove that the use of virtual groups in social networks led to detect observation units that are not registered officially (administrative register, census, etc.). This finding contributed to increase the scope and size of the sample, it favoured the design of the qualitative sample and the triangulation of the results. Therefore, it increased the validity of the hidden population.Originality/value: The article presents an experience of application of virtual sampling and mixed methods in the study of hidden populations. In particular, it analysed Argentinean immigrant entrepreneurs by using virtual groups as a source of information. |
| Idioma: | Inglés |