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. 2014 Oct;5(4):291-302.
doi: 10.1007/s12687-014-0184-2. Epub 2014 Feb 18.

Finding people who will tell you their thoughts on genomics-recruitment strategies for social sciences research

A Middleton  1 , E Bragin, M Parker; DDD Study
Affiliations

Finding people who will tell you their thoughts on genomics-recruitment strategies for social sciences research

A Middleton et al. J Community Genet. 2014 Oct.

Abstract

This paper offers a description of how social media, traditional media and direct invitation were used as tools for the recruitment of 6,944 research participants for a social sciences study on genomics. The remit was to gather the views of various stakeholders towards sharing incidental findings from whole genome studies. This involved recruiting members of the public, genetic health professionals, genomic researchers and non-genetic health professionals. A novel survey was designed that contained ten integrated films; this was made available online and open for completion by anyone worldwide. The recruitment methods are described together with the convenience and snowballing sampling framework. The most successful strategy involved the utilisation of social media; Facebook, Blogging, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google Ads led to the ascertainment of over 75 % of the final sample. We conclude that the strategies used were successful in recruiting in eclectic mix of appropriate participants. Design of the survey and results from the study are presented separately.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Three-phase interlinked recruitment strategy
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
The two most successful adverts used on Google
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Facebook advert
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Compliance rate
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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