background : a detailed study of hidden and hard to reach populations in order to identify their characteristics is essential because they endanger the health of the society by their dangerous behaviors. however, sampling in these populations through conventional sampling methods is impossible due to reasons such as being hidden and lacking a precise frame. methods: in this article, applicable ...

Abstract Objectives Respondent-Driven Sampling (RDS) is a variant of link-tracing, sampling technique for surveying hard-to-reach communities that takes advantage community members' social networks to reach potential participants. While the RDS mechanism and associated methods adjusting at analysis stage are well-documented in statistical sciences literature, methodological focus has largely be...