RIVM Respondent Driven Sampling

The RIVM RDS Software helps researchers of the RIVM (the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment) and research partners with reaching target groups. Specifically target groups, which are often hard to approach and to study social networks. The survey has been designed especially for Respondent Driven Sampling (RDS) research, where individuals are being asked to fill in an online survey and to forward the survey to their own contacts. RDS combines the snowball method (by using the social networks of the respondents to recruit close contacts) with a statistic model to create population estimations. For example how often certain risk factors, risky behavior or illnesses occur within a target group. The online method makes it possible to approach other target groups that cannot be reached with standard sampling techniques. The software is for example being used to reach men whom have intercourse with men (called MSM) to study their risk behavior and the spread of STD’s.

DTT has recently updated the solution with the following functionalities:

• Implementing Two Factor Authentication in order to access the back-end
• Various automated messages for bulk uploads of for example rewards and sending reminders automatically
• Randomization function to research interventions
• A bucket system to exclude participants early on
• Diverse security upgrades in order to comply to the GDPR and OWASP guidelines
• Front-end, such as changes in the recruitment pages