Participation of people living in rural areas of Eskisehir province in field researches, and factors affecting their rates of participation

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine participation rates of people living in the rural area of Eskisehir in field researches, and the factors influencing this.

Methods: This descriptive study was performed with 1,482 people aged 18 and above in two districts of Eskisehir. Data were collected with a 16 question questionnaire using the face-to-face interview technique. Data were analysed with descriptive statistics, chi- square test, logistic regression analysis, and factors affecting rates of participation in field researches.

Results: The most important reason (46.9%) given by participating for participant in field researches was the intention of "helping the interviewer". The other reasons were; believing in the usefulness of the researches (35.0%), contribution to public improvement (14.9%) and taking pleasure in talking with various people (3.2%). The most important reason (34.6%) for not participating in field researches was "considering field researches a waste of time". The other important reasons for non-participation were unnecessarily long questions in the research questionnaire forms (32.7%) and being uninformed of the research results (31.9%). In logistic regression analysis, age was found to be an influential factor in participation rates.

Conclusion: Lower rates of participation in field researches cause bias. As far as possible high participation in field researches is important. For the achievement of higher participation rates in field researches, training courses must be provided to both research workers and the public.