This chapter discusses several sampling techniques that are available to survey researchers in situations where traditional designs fail, with a particular emphasis on techniques that involve the use of geographic information systems (GIS). It focuses on techniques that make use of the growing availability of GIS tools, including Google Maps, Google Earth, satellite photos, handheld global positioning system (GPS) devices, and location‐enabled applications on mobile phones. The chapter presents several ways that GIS tools can be used to select probability samples for surveys in cases where updated census data are not available or the situation on the ground does not permit the use of housing unit listing. In the traditional area probability design for household surveys, the first stage involves selecting a sample of geographic areas with well‐defined boundaries, referred to as clusters or primary sampling units (PSUs).
