Analysis of Four Recruitment Methods for Obtaining Normative Data through a Web-Based Questionnaire: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Background Quality normative data requires a diverse sample of participants and plays an important role in the appropriate use of health outcomes. Using social media and other online resources for survey recruitment is a tempting prospect, but the effectiveness of these methods in collecting a diverse sample is unknown. The purpose of this study is to pilot test four methods of recruitment to determine their ability to produce a sample representative of the general US population. Methods This project is part of a larger study to gather normative data for the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ). We used flyers, e-mail, Facebook, and an institutionspecific clinical research recruitment Web site to direct participants to complete an online version of the MHQ. Participants also provided comorbidity and demographic information. Results The institution-specific recruitment Web site yielded the greatest number of respondents in an age distribution that mirrored the US population. Facebook was effective for recruiting young adults, and e-mail was successful for recruiting the older adults. None of the methods was successful in reaching an ethnically diverse sample. Conclusions Obtaining normative data that is truly representative of the US population is a difficult task. The use of any one recruitment method is unlikely to result in a representative sample, but a greater understanding of these methods will empower researchers to use them to target specific populations. This pilot analysis provides support for the use of Facebook and clinical research sites in addition to traditional methods of e-mail and paper flyers.

Recruitment strategies and challenges: Lessons learned from a coal ash and children's health study

“…Due to these challenges and more, alternative recruitment strategies that differ from initially proposed methods may be developed when recruitment goals are unmet. Different recruitment methods have been utilized in studies addressing various research questions, among different populations (Lane et al, 2015;Nolte, Shauver, & Chung, 2015;Williams et al, 2011). However, it is important for researchers to recognize the need for recruitment approaches to be germane to the population of interest, the research design and methodology, the location and demographic characteristics of participants, and the feasibility of designated approaches (Newington & Metcalfe, 2014;Nolte et al, 2015).…”

“…For example, researchers using flyers and social media have shown that it is useful in reaching older and younger participants ODOH ET AL. | 447 respectively, whereas community member inclusion and word of mouth may be particularly effective among African Americans or marginalized groups (Nolte et al, 2015;Whitaker, Stevelink, & Fear, 2017;Williams et al, 2011). Ultimately, recruitment efforts in this study were informed by known methods, community input, experiences from a previous coal ash pilot study, study design, and suitability of recruitment strategies (Whitaker et al, 2017;Williams et al, 2011;Zierold & Sears, 2015 (Martin, 2009).…”

“…Different recruitment methods have been utilized in studies addressing various research questions, among different populations (Lane et al, ; Nolte, Shauver, & Chung, ; Williams et al, ). However, it is important for researchers to recognize the need for recruitment approaches to be germane to the population of interest, the research design and methodology, the location and demographic characteristics of participants, and the feasibility of designated approaches (Newington & Metcalfe, ; Nolte et al, ). For example, researchers using flyers and social media have shown that it is useful in reaching older and younger participants respectively, whereas community member inclusion and word of mouth may be particularly effective among African Americans or marginalized groups (Nolte et al, ; Whitaker, Stevelink, & Fear, ; Williams et al, ).…”

“…However, it is important for researchers to recognize the need for recruitment approaches to be germane to the population of interest, the research design and methodology, the location and demographic characteristics of participants, and the feasibility of designated approaches (Newington & Metcalfe, ; Nolte et al, ). For example, researchers using flyers and social media have shown that it is useful in reaching older and younger participants respectively, whereas community member inclusion and word of mouth may be particularly effective among African Americans or marginalized groups (Nolte et al, ; Whitaker, Stevelink, & Fear, ; Williams et al, ). Ultimately, recruitment efforts in this study were informed by known methods, community input, experiences from a previous coal ash pilot study, study design, and suitability of recruitment strategies (Whitaker et al, ; Williams et al, ; Zierold & Sears, ).…”

Evaluating different recruitment methods in a longitudinal survey: Findings from the pan-European PASTA project (Preprint)

“…In this case, elderly have little chance to be sampled at all. Other, more traditional methods such as flyers have the problem of respondents not having a direct and convenient access to the survey and may result in a smaller recruitment rate [19]. The PASTA Project (Physical Activity through Sustainable Transport Approaches) [20,21], used a combination of different opportunistic recruitment methods in order to utilize strengths and to minimize weaknesses.…”