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	Online teoretisk sampling	Snöbollsurval
Ämnesområde	Surveymetodik	Surveymetodik
Familj	Process / pipeline	Process / pipeline
Ursprungsår	1967 (theoretical sampling); online adaptation ~2000s–2010s	1961
Upphovsperson	Glaser & Strauss (theoretical sampling); adapted to online contexts by internet qualitative researchers	Leo A. Goodman
Typ	Qualitative sampling strategy	Non-probability sampling technique
Ursprungskälla	Glaser, B. G., & Strauss, A. L. (1967). The Discovery of Grounded Theory: Strategies for Qualitative Research. Aldine. ISBN: 978-0202302607	Goodman, L. A. (1961). Snowball sampling. Annals of Mathematical Statistics, 32(1), 148–170.
Alias	internet-based theoretical sampling, digital theoretical sampling, web-based theoretical sampling	chain-referral sampling, network sampling, respondent-driven sampling, referral sampling
Närliggande	4	3
Sammanfattning	Online theoretical sampling applies the logic of theoretical sampling — selecting participants or data sources based on emerging theory rather than predetermined criteria — within digital environments. Researchers iteratively recruit from online communities, forums, social media, or virtual networks, guided at each step by conceptual gaps identified during concurrent analysis. It is most commonly used in grounded theory studies conducted wholly or partially over the internet.	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.