Scope of recruitment for insider immigrant community gatekeepers: A case example of recruiting Ghanaian immigrants in the United States for a research study

Abstract

This study draws on the author’s fieldwork experience to explore the scope of participant recruitment for insider immigrant community gatekeepers. The scope of recruitment includes being a member of the immigrant community, soliciting for participation from community members, volunteering, and being self-motivated to recruit participants. In their role, insider immigrant community gatekeepers not only decided who received the research information and who eventually participated in the research activities but also provided support to the researchers that they had granted community access. Insider immigrant community gatekeepers use a combination of personal qualities and a range of skills to recruit participants. They drew on their credibility and trustworthiness to build and maintain rapport and relationships that elicited community members’ participation in research. They used their good communication and storytelling skills to attract and persuade potential participants to complete research activities. Insider immigrant community gatekeepers have patience and self-motivation to persist and overcome community members’ rejection of recruitment overtures, organize activities that facilitate participation in research, and provide information that helps researchers make informed decisions about recruitment.