How To Overcome Barriers of Recruiting Research Participants

1. �How To Overcome Barriers of Recruiting Research Participants� The 10th Annual APSAC Colloquium Tuesday, May 28th - Saturday, June 1st 2002 Presenters: Denise D. Warren, MSW, Jill Pegues, B.S., Rogayah Meyer, Ph.D. University of Maryland School of Social Work

2. Introduction In order to develop effective strategies to improve child welfare outcomes, as well as to establish what works and for whom, it is necessary to collect outcome data through evaluation research. Obtaining sufficient data for analyses hinges on the ability of personnel to recruit and retain caregivers to voluntarily participate. Longitudinal studies such as these require that participants be willing to participate in follow-up research.

3. Learning Objectives Understand What is Involved in Recruiting Employ Successful Recruiting Strategies Identify Ways to Make Research a Positive Experience for Participants

4. Anticipate Potential Barriers Know characteristics of your sample Characteristics of our sample population: Elderly caregivers Predominately African-American women Caregivers caring for multiple children Limited mobility issues Hard to track Various work schedules and availabilities Various educational, income, and literacy levels

5. Allows for sufficient amount of data to be collected in a timely fashion for data analysis purposes Reduces time between planned and actual implementation schedules Our Start-up Procedures for Interviewing: Training required for interviewers and/or recruiters Cold-calling (both anticipated and mid-stream change not anticipated) Frequent updates on contact information for caregivers Be prepared for the effort required

6. Training Our training areas include: Communication style Knowledge of projects Rapport building � how to establish quickly Cultural considerations Safety Making the call (cold-calling)

7. Making the Call How to get someone to Say �YES� Phone Etiquette : -Introductions (of self and affiliation(s)) -Tone of Voice -Mannerisms Using a workable script �Mock calling�

8. Obtaining Participant Information Because phone/address/participant information changes so frequently, we use multiple sources to get current information Caseworkers at contracting agency Database searches at contracting agency Telephone book Online searches

9. Scheduling Participants Our procedures for scheduling an interview: - Commit participant to day and time. - Schedule interviewer(s). - Depending on location: secure a room(s) or get driving directions. - Obtain necessary paperwork, equipment, etc. to conduct interview. - Confirm interview by phone 1 day before and day of scheduled interview. - For interviews scheduled 4 days or more after initial call, send confirmation letter in mail.

10. Scheduling Participants cont. Scheduling a single interview may involve numerous attempts before an appointment can be solidified and/or kept. - Average number of call attempts (per cg) = 3 (ranging anywhere from 1-9 calls) - Scheduling attempts (i.e how many times we had to reschedule 1 interview before a scheduled interview is actually carried out)

11. Strategies and Recruitment Ideas Offer multiple locations to complete interview Locations we offer: Caregiver�s home Local DSS Office University of Maryland �Saturday Festival� Light refreshments Child care provided Activities/Games/Movies for children $10.00 to complete cg interview $10.00 McDonald�s coupons to complete youth interview Raffle with prizes Travel reimbursement

12. Strategies and Recruitment Ideas cont. Efforts to Improve �Show Rates� - Make confirmation and reminder calls. - Brochures. - Be flexible. Tailor times and locations that are convenient for the participant. Establish or maintain positive working relationship with those who can assist you in obtaining information Helpful tip: - Make yourself known to people within their agency (i.e.establish a �physical� presence).

13. Strategies and Recruitment Ideas cont. Use of Incentives What we use: McDonald�s Gift Certificates Movie Passes $10.00 for completion of 1st interview Quarterly Raffles

14. Ensuring that the Interview Process is a Positive Experience Since longitudinal studies require continued participation, it is especially important that the first interview is positive such that participants are willing to be involved in follow-up research.

15. What Works: Computerized interviewing Offering multiple locations to complete interview Establishing rapport (over the phone & in-person) Listening Making participant feel comfortable Politeness and respectfulness Interacting with young children

16. Conclusion The most important consequences of our research: Increasing permanency options available to families Providing stability and safety for children committed to state care Decreased state costs

17. Thank you. For additional information about this presentation, please contact: Jill Pegues, B.S., Rogayah Meyer, Ph.D. Denise D. Warren, MSW University of Maryland School of Social Work 525 West Redwood Street Louis L. Kaplan Hall Baltimore, MD 21201 (410) 706-8474 http://www.rhycenter.umaryland.edu