A NOTE ON IMPLEMENTATION OF A RANDOM-WALK DESIGN TO STUDY ADOLESCENT SOCIAL NETWORKS

Starting with adolescents residing in an inner-city neighborhood, a random-walk sampling design was implemented with the aim of examining the socioecological context of behaviors pertinent to HIV transmission. A three-step, four-node random walk was attempted for each initial respondent, n = 43, of a probability sample of 12-15-year-old boys and girls who resided in a census-tract delimited area. The success rate in identifying and locating named associates was approximately 62%. The response rate of locatable associates exceeded 90%. No systematic item non-response or refusal was apparent in the interview process. The major obstacle to implementation was difficulty locating named associates and not, as anticipated, nonresponse or refusal to disclose sensitive information.