Recruitment strategy and promotional campaigns. Recruitment to a survey can be promoted with publicity (e.g. via YouTube, press releases, media appearances, posters) and through the offering of incentives such as vouchers. Promotional advertising appears more intense when longitudinal surveys are regional rather than national. For instance, ALSPAC had considerable local and national coverage in the press, radio and television. Alternatively, it can be achieved through running recruitment events, and/or consultation exercises with communities and institutions that host potential respondents. Recruitment also works better when contact is made before the actual stage of recruitment (e.g. by letter between a month and two weeks in advance). Where potential participants are slow to sign up to a sampling programme, reminders can be sent to them after initial approach (e.g. after two weeks) by post or through other communication mediums. Where potential recruits are reluctant to sign up to a programme, a research team member can productively be dedicated to the task of enrolling such individuals. As some refusals are down to potentially temporary reasons, it is good practice to try and enrol un- enrolled individuals/institutions approximately 2 months after first refusal. Contact details for recruits can be sourced from institutions, such as tax offices and education departments. Recruitment is more successful if is part of a universally mandatory process in a country (e.g. a medical exam for all children starting schooling). Recruitment approaches are most likely well-received when they reduce burden and appear organised. Such approaches attract goodwill that can lead to less attrition at a later date. Researchers can appear organised, and smooth the recruitment process, by sending enrolment packs to individuals/institutions in advance of a study. These might include research handbooks, consent forms, and other preparatory materials. Personal touches, such as the signing of recruitment letters, are also advantageous in generating goodwill. The process of recruitment can also be eased and simplified by recruiting gatekeepers (i.e. reputable institutions/organisations) that can facilitate access to large numbers of recruits. For instance, convincing a Ministry of Education of the need for a study can deliver subsequent access to the many schools that take a lead from the Ministry. In turn, those schools can deliver parents/children who take their lead from that school. As part of recruitment it is desirable to ...
