Sampling nomads: A new technique for remote, hard-to-reach, and mobile populations

This resource presents the Random Geographic Cluster Sampling (RGCS) technique for collecting data from mobile populations often missed by traditional surveys.

Tested in Ethiopia's Afar region, RGCS uses GIS technology to identify nomadic communities, offering a more inclusive approach to data collection in remote and conflict-affected areas.

This resource explores an innovative approach for collecting data from nomadic and seminomadic populations that are often underrepresented in household surveys. Authored by Kristen Himelein, Stephanie Eckman, and Siobhan Murray, the study focuses on Random Geographic Cluster Sampling (RGCS) as a solution to the coverage gaps encountered when attempting to gather data from mobile populations in remote or conflict-affected areas. The technique was piloted in Ethiopia's Afar region in 2012, targeting pastoralist communities, with the goal of collecting reliable data on livestock ownership and the socioeconomic conditions of these populations.

Key features

• Random geographic cluster sampling (RGCS): The RGCS approach involves randomly selecting points using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology and surveying all eligible respondents within a defined circular area. This method bypasses the limitations of traditional household-based surveys, especially for nomadic groups who lack permanent dwellings.
• Pilot study in Ethiopia: The technique was tested in the Afar region, an area with significant nomadic populations. The RGCS method proved effective in identifying and interviewing households that might otherwise be missed by conventional surveys, including those with no permanent address.
• Overcoming challenges of remote and mobile populations: The study compares RGCS to other methods such as flyover surveys and water point sampling, discussing how RGCS can better capture mobile populations while reducing bias. The method also ensures that data collection can be performed with fewer technical challenges in low-capacity field environments.
• Use of GPS and GIS: Interviewers used GPS devices preloaded with coordinates to locate the survey circles. The system allowed fieldworkers to navigate difficult terrain and access remote pastoralist communities. This provided accurate geographic information and helped track the areas surveyed.

How would you use the resource?

This resource is valuable for M&E practitioners working with mobile or hard-to-reach populations, such as nomads, in fragile or conflict-affected contexts. The RGCS method can be used to design surveys that reach populations traditionally underrepresented in household-based surveys. This is particularly useful in collecting data related to livelihoods, such as livestock ownership, or assessing the socioeconomic impact of interventions in remote areas.

Why are we recommending it?

This resource is recommended for its innovative and practical approach to sampling mobile populations in conflict-affected and fragile contexts. The RGCS technique provides a more inclusive way to capture data from groups that are often missed by standard surveys, offering a scalable solution that can be adapted to other regions facing similar challenges with mobile or transient populations.