Sampling an unknown universe: problems of researching mass casualty incidents (a history of ECRU's field research).

This paper reviews how the Emergency Communications Research Unit (ECRU) at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada, developed its field research techniques with emphasis on some of its approaches to sampling. Then based on ECRU's experience, it discusses the problems that would arise if an attempt were made to research an incident involving not only mass casualties, but also chemically contaminated mass casualties. While ECRU's findings have been published in scores of book chapters, monographs and academic and other articles, this is only the second time since 1977 that its methods have been described [The Development of a Standby Research Capacity at Carleton University. Emergency Planning: Ottawa, Canada; Int. J. Mass Emergencies and Disasters 1977; 2(1):35-41; Methods of Disaster Research. Xlibris Corporation, 26-302], and the very first time its approaches to sampling have been discussed. c 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.