Formative assessment, data collection and parallel monitoring for RDS fieldwork

This chapter addresses the key aspects of RDS surveys that need to be planned in advance of fieldwork (including coupon design, survey site location, and project staffing), as well as possible strategies for monitoring recruitment once the survey has started. We show that such parallel monitoring is crucial in order to learn how recruitment plays out in the population and to determine whether any adaptations are needed. This chapter also provides an overview of the type of adaptations that are commonly made to tailor the survey to the target population (including strategies to address slow recruitment). Using examples of RDS surveys conducted among migrant populations, we show that survey logistics can, and often need to, be adapted to ensure the success of RDS recruitment.