Using Facebook to Maximize Follow-Up Response Rates in a Longitudinal Study of Adults who use Methamphetamine

Abstract

This study examines the process and effects of using facebook (FB) to locate and re-contact study participants targeted for follow up in a longitudinal study of adult methamphetamine users (N = 649). A follow-up interview was conducted in 2009–11 approximately 8 years after previous study participation. Our paper describes re-contact efforts involving FB, including IRB regulatory issues and the effectiveness of using FB compared to mailings and phone calls. A total of 48 of the 551 surviving non-incarcerated participants who agreed to be contacted for follow up studies were contacted via FB, of whom 11 completed the follow-up interview. Those contacted through FB were more likely to be younger, female, relocated out-of-state, and reported somewhat higher rates of anxiety and cognitive problems compared to those not located on FB. Although participants contacted through FB are likely to differ demographically from those contacted by phone or mail, FB provides a potentially effective means to expand conventional methods of correspondence for contacting hard to reach participants.

Using social media for community consultation and public disclosure in exception from informed consent trials

“…9 Social media is arguably a favored means of social interaction and has influenced interactions between individuals and their local communities and communities around the world. 10-13 Our observations illustrate a novel approach using social media to facilitate the CC/PD process in EFIC trials. Through the use of social media, we were able to efficiently reach a large audience.…”

Mitigation of Participant Loss to Follow-Up Using Facebook: All Our Families Longitudinal Pregnancy Cohort (Preprint)

“…Several studies have successfully used Facebook to locate participants including a longitudinal follow-up of an intervention programme for at-risk families [16], a longitudinal study of adults who use methamphetamine [4], and members of a graduating class [17]. These studies demonstrate the potential for identifying participants for whom follow up was unplanned or who were high-risk or highly mobile.…”

“…Facebook was initially targeted to young adults, however in 2010 users over the age of 34 became the fastest growing demographic group [19]. Unlike traditional communication platforms, Facebook URLs are associated with longer periods of use compared to email addresses [4]. This study investigated the efficacy of one social networking site, Facebook, for both identifying and re-contacting participants of a contemporary longitudinal pregnancy cohort, situated in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.…”

“…These include: collection of detailed and appropriate recruitment information, implementing standardized participant tracking procedures, contacting alternative contacts, identifying 3 or more alternate contacts, increased frequency of participant contact, and offering monetary or other incentives for study participation [2,[4][5][6][7]. However, even when all recommended strategies are implemented a participant may not be retained in a mobile population [2].…”

Facebook as a tool for respondent tracing

“…Berry and Bass (2012) administered surveys on religiosity, substance abuse, and anxiety to young people over the course of a school year. Bolanos et al (2012) administered a survey twice to amphetamine abusers over the course of 8 years. Daniel et al (2011) administered a follow-up survey to students who had participated in a program to promote cancer research as a career.…”