A study of sampling in research in the field of lesbian and gay studies

G. Sullivan, W. Losberg

This article examines the various types of sampling techniques used to research gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender issues. Sample characteristics, sample sizes, response rates, and methods of obtaining samples for studies published in the Journal of Gay & Lesbian Social Services (JGLSS) between 1997 and 2000 were studied. Questions about sampling issues that characterize this field of study are discussed, and suggestions for improving sampling and reporting practices are offered. Author characteristics, the topics of research published in JGLSS, and data collection techniques used are also summarized.KEYWORDS. Gay, lesbian, transgender, sampling, content analysis[Copies are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Center. The Haworth Press, Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580, USA]