First steps in the development of effective recruitment strategies

Summary
Achieving high levels of participation in applied health research will increase the efficiency and timeliness of research. It will also increase its relevance by reducing bias. This project is focusing on improving recruitment to qualitative research for patients with serious chronic diseases. These include children with life limiting illnesses and people with severe mental health problems.

We are undertaking a mixed-methods research programme which includes: gathering data on the experiences, views and needs of families, recruiters and researchers in relation to recruitment; exploring why potential recruiters and eligible families decline to be involved in research; assessing the impact of recruitment practices on recruitment rates and sample biases. This will inform development of evidence-based guidance on invitation and recruitment to qualitative studies.

Principal investigator: Professor Myra Bluebond-Langner, UCL

Start date: January 2014

Partners and collaborators involved: UCL, Institute of Child Health; Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Unit