Recruitment issues in school-based research: lessons learned from the High 5 Alabama Project

J Sch Health. 1997 Dec;67(10):415-21. doi: 10.1111/j.1746-1561.1997.tb01287.x.

Abstract

School-based research requires a multi-level recruitment process to ensure an adequate sample. This article describes the High 5 Alabama recruitment experience at four levels; district, school, classroom and individual. One hundred percent of 28 schools across three districts and 108 classroom teachers contacted agreed to participate. Moderate success (69%) at the individual level, which required active parental consent for the student and parent to participate, resulted in 1,698 student/parent participants. An examination of differences between participants and nonparticipants revealed under-representation of a subsample of the population in the project sample. Suggestions obtained from project staff and teachers intended to enhance future school-based recruitment strategies include enlistment of a district advocate; meeting with teachers to solicit support; using incentives with students and teachers; direct contact with parents; having teachers keep rosters of students returning consent forms; and tailoring recruitment strategies for specific subpopulations.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Alabama
  • Child
  • Data Collection
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Informed Consent*
  • Male
  • Patient Selection*
  • Research Design*
  • Schools*
  • Teaching