Special Issues Regarding Recruitment

 

Recruiting, the actual procedures used to obtain subjects, is one aspect of a research project that must be given special attention. The committee realizes that different types of research require different recruitment techniques, and that no definitions or procedures can possibly apply to all cases. The following is the guideline which our IRB currently uses for determining appropriate recruitment procedures and some possible interpretations with respect to research protocols. If you feel these requirements alter the reliability or validity of your study, please contact the committee.

" It is unacceptable to use confidential/private data to which the investigator would not ordinarily have access to approach subjects for a research study (i.e., cold contacting). The initial contact with potential subjects should be made by those having legitimate access to the information. This person would convey referral or contact information." *

* C. M. Dunn and G. Chadwick, (2001). Protecting Study Volunteers in Research: A Manual for Investigative Sites. Center Watch, Inc. Boston. p. 51.

Interpretations:

- it may be unacceptable to ask one subject to provide contact information for someone they think might qualify for your study or to use lists of names/addresses which were originally provided for a purpose other than your research project as a means to recruit subjects

---------instead it may be better to give your contact information to the subject to pass along to those who might be interested

- you may use any publicly available means to obtain contact information for potential subjects

---------for instance, if contact information is listed on the Internet and there is NOT a specific statement prohibiting the use of the list for any other purpose, you may use that information for recruitment

 

Examples of Acceptable Recruitment Methods

- publicly displayed flyers (if previously approved by the IRB)

- with permission of instructor, recruitment from within specific classes (usually via an overhead flyer-- which needs IRB approval)

- placing an advertisement in the paper (if previously approved by the IRB)

- word of mouth