Snowball Austin

Substance abuse is a pervasive issue affecting individuals and communities nationwide.
In
Sigola village in Umguza district the problem of substance abuse is particularly pressing,
with so many people using different substances. To better understand this complex issue,
researchers require effective sampling techniques to access and gather data from individuals
struggling with substance abuse. This study demonstrates the application of Snowball
sampling yo explore substance abuse in Sigola village . Snowball a non probability sampling
method is particularly suited for reaching hard to reach population such as those struggling
with substance abuse. By leveraging social networks and words of mouth referrals. Snowball
sampling enable researchers to access and gather rich, contextual data from individuals who
might be difficult to reach through other means. Sampling techniques and Snowball sampling
shall be defined.
Definition of terms
According to Barbie (2016) the purpose of sampling is to obtain a representative subset of the
population which can be used to make generalizations about the population as a whole.
Sampling according to Cresswell (2014) is a crucial aspect of research design as it enable
researchers to study a manageable number of cases while still making valid inferences about
the larger population.
Patton (2015) confirms that Snowball sampling can be an effective way to reach individuals
who are difficult to access through other means such as those in remote or hard to reach
locations. Whereas Silverman (2016) says Snowball sampling is a technique where the
researcher asks initial participants to identify others who might be willing to participate, and
then asks those individuals to identify others and so on.
How to apply Snowball Sampling

There is need for initial participants who have self identified with substance abuse through:
1. Local support groups
2. Social service organizations e.g. community centers.
3. Word of mouth referrals from health care providers or social workers.
1
Process
1. Initial participants asked to refer up to 3individuals they know who struggle with substance
abuse
2. Referred individuals are contacted and invited to participate in the study.
3. Participants are assured of confidentiality and anonymity.
4. Interviews or do us groups are conducted with each participant.
5. Participants are asked to refer additional individuals and the process continues until desired
sample size is reached.
Application of Snowball Sampling Technique

To come up with the number of participants required for the study of substance abuse in
Sigola village in Umguza District, the researcher was referred to two people who were
substance abusers. The social worker in the area at the time of the research referred the two
people to the researcher. After conducting interviews with the two people, the researcher then
asked them to refer three or more people who were having problems of substance abuse. This
was continually done until a desired sample size of 50 people from a population of 10000
people in Sigola village facing challenges of substance abuse was achieved and became part
of the study.
Data Collection
Data were collected through surveys focusing on the type of substance each of the people
interviewed was having struggles with. The following summarized data was obtained:
Type of Substance Number of people

Opioids 20
Alcohol 15
Cocaine 10
Other 5
2
Statistical Presentation
1. Table
TYPE OF NUMBER PERCENTAGE
SUBSTANCE
OPIOIDS 20 40
ALCOHOL 15 30
COCAINE 10 20
OTHER 5 10
3
\
Data analysis and interpretation
The graph reveals that opioids are the most commonly abused substance among the sample
population, with 20 individuals (40% of the sample) reporting opioid abuse. Alcohol is the
second most prevalent, with 15 individuals (30% of the sample) reporting alcohol abuse.
Cocaine and other substances have lower prevalence rates, with 10 (20% of the sample) and 5
(10% of the sample) individuals reporting abuse, respectively.
Insights:
- Opioids are a significant concern in this community, with a high proportion of individuals
struggling with opioid abuse.
- Alcohol abuse is also prevalent, indicating a need for targeted interventions.
- Cocaine and other substances, while less prevalent, still require attention and support.
Limitations:
- The sample size is small, and the results may not be generalizable to the larger population.
- The data only represents individuals who were willing to participate in the study, potentially
excluding those who are harder to reach.
4
This analysis provides a starting point for understanding the substance abuse trends in the
sample population. Further research and analysis can help identify underlying factors
contributing to these trends and inform effective interventions.
Conclusion:
This study aimed to explore the application of snowball sampling technique in researching
substance abuse among individuals in Sigola. The findings reveal a concerning prevalence of
opioid and alcohol abuse, highlighting the need for targeted interventions and support
services. Snowball sampling proved to be an effective technique for accessing and gathering
data from hard-to-reach populations, providing valuable insights into the experiences and
challenges faced by individuals struggling with substance abuse.The study's limitations,
including the small sample size and potential biases, underscore the need for further research
and analysis. Nevertheless, this research contributes to the understanding of substance abuse
in Sigola and demonstrates the utility of snowball sampling in researching sensitive and
complex issue.
Recommendations:
- Community organizations and healthcare providers should prioritize opioid and alcohol
abuse interventions.
- Further research should explore underlying factors contributing to substance abuse in Sigola
village.
- Snowball sampling should be considered for future research on hard-to-reach populations.
By shedding light on substance abuse in Sigola this study hopes to inform effective responses
and support services, ultimately contributing to the well-being and resilience of the
community.
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References
Barbie, E.R. (2016) The Practice of Social Research. Cengage Learning.
Cresswell, J.W. (2014) Research design: Qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods
approaches. Sage Publications.
Patton, M.Q. (2015) Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods (4th Edition)
Silverman, D. (2016) Qualitative Research: Theory, Methods and Practice. (4th Edition).

Snowball Austin

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Substance abuse is a pervasive issue affecting individuals and communities nationwide.

How to apply Snowball Sampling

Application of Snowball Sampling Technique

Type of Substance Number of people

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