The challenges of recruiting African American subjects and entry strategies used in northeast Ohio

Abstract

This article focuses on the recruitment of African American subjects because there are wide gaps in health outcomes within African American communities. Historical occurrences have contributed to the distrust of the motives of researchers about the purposes and credibility of research studies. Commonly acknowledged challenges include researchers' lack of sensitivity and understanding of minority subjects (Fujimoto, 1989; El-Sadr & Capps, 1992; Pletsch, Howe & Tenney, 1995). This paper discusses some of the challenges encountered by an African American researcher in North East Ohio in recruiting mothers and adolescent daughters, with and without a child, for a community-based communication intervention entitled: Mission Possible: Parents and Kids Who Listen (Riesch, Tosi, Thurston, Forsyth, Kuenning, & Kestly, 1993). This paper also suggests strategies and makes recommendations for researchers, who must recruit African American subjects. Researchers will need to examine their role in increasing the credibility of research within minority communities and develop innovative recruitment strategies.