مقایسهٔ روش‌ها

	نمونه‌گیری هدفمند	نمونه‌گیری گلوله‌برفی
حوزه	روش‌شناسی پیمایش	روش‌شناسی پیمایش
خانواده	Process / pipeline	Process / pipeline
سال پیدایش	Formalized ~1980–1990	1961
پدیدآور	Michael Quinn Patton (systematic articulation); roots in early qualitative inquiry	Leo A. Goodman
نوع	Non-probability sampling strategy	Non-probability sampling technique
منبع بنیادین	Patton, M. Q. (1990). Qualitative Evaluation and Research Methods (2nd ed.). Sage. ISBN: 978-0803937796	Goodman, L. A. (1961). Snowball sampling. Annals of Mathematical Statistics, 32(1), 148–170.
نام‌های دیگر	judgmental sampling, selective sampling, criterion-based sampling, purposeful sampling	chain-referral sampling, network sampling, respondent-driven sampling, referral sampling
مرتبط	4	3
خلاصه	Purposive sampling is a non-probability strategy in which the researcher deliberately selects participants, documents, or cases that are information-rich with respect to the research question. Rather than drawing units at random, the researcher applies explicit criteria aligned with the study's purpose, maximising the depth and relevance of the data collected. It is the default sampling logic in most qualitative research designs and is also used in mixed-methods and applied evaluative work.	Snowball sampling is a non-probability recruitment technique in which initial participants (seeds) refer the researcher to others who meet the study criteria, and those referrals in turn refer further participants. The sample grows incrementally — like a rolling snowball — until the required size or theoretical saturation is reached. It is the method of choice when a target population has no accessible sampling frame, such as undocumented migrants, illicit drug users, survivors of stigmatised experiences, or members of closed professional networks.