The Sampling Guide for Displacement Situations represents a critical element in Phase 3 of the Profiling Process. The objective behind designing a methodology is to ensure that the approach taken, and the analysis that results, will actually address the contexts’ data needs and that the results of analysis are consistent with the objectives of the profiling exercise. With that in mind, a properly designed sampling methodology ensures that the characteristics of the sample are representative or as closely representative as possible of the larger population, using a comparative approach.

Therefore, choosing and planning for the right sampling approach is the cornerstone to collecting robust and reliable data. That being said, the Sampling Guide for Displacement Situations aims to only briefly introduce key concepts on sampling (e.g. target population, sample frame or bias) and focuses on being a reference for practitioners in their process of selecting a sample in complex situations such as those of protracted displacement. This guide seeks to be as practicable as possible by providing concrete examples of sampling approaches directly taken from JIPS’ experience in supporting profiling exercises over the years and by including helpful and go-to resources.