Participation In Survey Research Research Articles

Participation in survey research among mothers with a recent live birth: A comparison of mothers with living versus deceased infants - Findings from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System, 2016-2019.

Despite high infant mortality rates in the United States relative to other developed countries, little is known about survey participation among mothers of deceased infants. To assess differences in survey response, contact and cooperation rates for mothers of deceased versus. living infants at the time of survey mailing (approximately 2-6months postpartum), overall and by select maternal and infant characteristics. We analysed 2016-2019 data for 50sites from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS), a site-specific, population-based surveillance system of mothers with a recent live birth. We assessed differences in survey participation between mothers of deceased and living infants. Using American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) standard definitions and terminology, we calculated proportions of mothers who participated and were successfully contacted among sampled mothers (weighted response and contact rates, respectively), and who participated among contacted mothers (weighted cooperation rate). We then constructed multivariable survey-weighted logistic regression models to examine the adjusted association between infant vital status and weighted response, contact and cooperation rates, within strata of maternal and infant characteristics. Among sampled mothers, 0.3% (weighted percentage, n=2795) of infants had records indicating they were deceased at the time of survey mailing and 99.7% (weighted percentage, n=344,379) did not. Mothers of deceased infants had lower unadjusted weighted response (48.3% vs. 56.2%), contact (67.9% vs. 74.3%) and cooperation rates (71.1% vs. 75.6%). However, after adjusting for covariates, differences in survey participation by infant vital status were reduced. After covariate adjustment, differences in PRAMS participation rates were attenuated. However, participation rates among mothers of deceased infants remain two to four percentage points lower compared with mothers of living infants. Strategies to increase PRAMS participation could inform knowledge about experiences and behaviours before, during and shortly after pregnancy to help reduce infant mortality.

The effect of multiple recruitment contacts on response rates and patterns of missing data in a survey of bladder cancer survivors 6months after cystectomy.

The Bladder Cancer Quality of Life Study collected detailed and sensitive patient-reported outcomes from bladder cancer survivors in the period after bladder removal surgery, when participation in survey research may present a burden. This paper describes the study recruitment methods and examines the response rates and patterns of missing data. Detailed surveys focusing on quality of life, healthcare decision-making, and healthcare expenses were mailed to patients 5-7months after cystectomy. We conducted up to 10 follow-up recruitment calls. We analyzed survey completion rates following each contact in relation to demographic and clinical characteristics, and patterns of missing data across survey content areas. The overall response rate was 71% (n = 269/379). This was consistent across patient clinical characteristics; response rates were significantly higher among patients over age 70 and significantly lower among racial and ethnic minority patients compared to non-Hispanic white patients. Each follow-up contact resulted in marginal survey completion rates of at least 10%. Rates of missing data were low across most content areas, even for potentially sensitive questions. Rates of missing data differed significantly by sex, age, and race/ethnicity. Despite the effort required to participate in research, this population of cancer survivors showed willingness to share detailed information about quality of life, health care decision-making, and expenses, soon after major cancer surgery. Additional contacts were effective at increasing participation. Response patterns differed by race/ethnicity and other demographic factors. Our data collection methods show that it is feasible to gather detailed patient-reported outcomes during this challenging period.

Reasons for engaging in research among people with serious mental illnesses

People generally participate in research for three primary reasons: financial, altruistic/social, and personal/psychological. While we would expect individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) to share these reasons, this assumption has not been investigated. Ninety-two adults with SMI living in supportive housing were interviewed about their reasons for participating in a study examining their housing, well-being, and community experiences. Associations between participant characteristics and reasons for research participation were explored. Primary reasons for participation included “contributing to science/research” (37%, n = 34), “money” (33%, n = 30), “improving housing” (22%, n = 20), “having someone to talk to (2%, n = 2) and other (6%, n = 6). Secondary reasons were “money” (38%, n = 31), “contributing to science/research” (24%, n = 20), “improving housing” (24%, n = 20), “having someone to talk to” (2%, n = 2) and other (11%, n = 9). Additionally, 29% (n = 27) reported making housing or well-being changes since participating. Individual characteristics were not significantly associated with reasons for research participation. Participants’ reasons for research participation mirrored the general population, with “improving housing” being a unique motivating factor. Participation in survey research could benefit people with SMI by prompting community engagement and consideration of housing issues.

Population-Based Analysis of Hematologic Malignancy Referrals to a Comprehensive Cancer Center, Referrals for Blood and Marrow Transplantation, and Participation in Clinical Trial, Survey, and Biospecimen Research by Race

Racial and ethnic disparities have been reported in clinical trial/research participation, utilization of autologous and allogeneic blood and marrow transplantation (BMT), and availability of allogeneic donors. We performed a population-based cohort study to investigate adult hematologic malignancy referrals to a US tertiary cancer center, utilization of BMT, and participation in clinical trial, survey, and biospecimen research by race. US Census Data and the New York State Public Access Cancer Epidemiology Database identified the racial distribution of the general population and new hematologic malignancy cases in the primary catchment area. From 2005 to 2011, 1106 patients aged 18 to 75 years were referred for BMT consultation; although the rate of BMT among hematologic malignancy referrals did not differ by race, the reasons for not receiving a BMT did. Participation in biospecimen research did not vary by race; however, African Americans and other minorities were significantly less likely to participate in survey research than European Americans. Although rates of hematologic malignancy referrals and use of BMT for minorities appear to be low (<10%), they closely reflect the race distribution of all hematologic malignancy cases and the western New York population. African Americans are equally likely as other races to participate in biospecimen banking, but further study is needed to understand reasons for lower participation in survey research.

Why Don't Our Students Respond? Understanding Declining Participation in Survey Research Among College Students

Declining response rates among college students threaten the effectiveness of survey research at institutions of higher education. The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand the conditions that promote participation in survey research among this population. The researcher identified three themes through this study. First, participants perceived surveys as agents for institutional change. Second, participants viewed surveys as ubiquitous artifacts. Third, trust played an important role in students’ willingness to participate in survey opportunities.

Sensitive Research With Adolescents: Just How Upsetting Are Self-Report Surveys Anyway?

Distress related to answering personal survey questions about drug use, suicidal behavior, and physical and sexual abuse were examined in multiple convenience samples of adolescents. Samples varied in consent procedures utilized (active vs. passive parental consent), data collection setting (school vs. juvenile justice), developmental level (middle school vs. high school). Participation rates differed across consent procedures (e.g., 93% with passive vs. 62% with active parental consent). Results indicated that small percentages of adolescents in every sample reported frequently feeling upset while completing the survey (range 2.5% to 7.6%). Age, race, gender, and data collection strategy did not emerge as significant predictors of feeling upset. Instead, as hypothesized, adolescents reporting a history of suicidal ideation or attempt, illicit drug use, or experiences of physical or sexual victimization endorsed more frequent feelings of upset while completing the survey than peers without these experiences. Taken together, however, these sensitive event experiences explained only 6.6% of the variance in adolescents' upset ratings. The scientific and ethical implications of these findings are discussed with regard to adolescent participation in survey research about sensitive topics.

Normative health research experiences among African American elders.

Data are meager regarding the prevalence of participation and the overall experience of African American elders in research across a variety of health-related studies. This study sought to increase our knowledge about older African Americans' participation in health research by capturing some of their normative experiences and attitudes. A telephone-based survey was conducted on 1,290 urban African Americans greater than or equal to 60 years old. The assessment focused on issues of housing, neighborhoods, health, and experiences with health research. The overall prevalence of respondents who took part in a health research project was 14%. Significant predictors included income, attitudes about fairness, perceptions of protection from harm, understanding of research as a key to improving health care, and participation in survey research. Findings underscore the importance of addressing economic, educational, and trust barriers to research participation as well as the importance of conveying a sense of caring for the health of individuals and the community as a whole.

Adolescents' Perceptions and Participation in Survey Research

Adolescents' Perceptions and Participation in Survey Research

Obtaining Consent and Other Ethical Issues in the Conduct of Research in American Indian Communities

SUMMARY In order to conduct effective field research, researchers must be cognizant of the social, political, and historical events influencing the communities where the research takes place. American Indian communities have a number of structural characteristics that can become barriers to good research. Researchers can overcome these barriers by understanding and responding to issues of sovereignty, overlapping jurisdictions, scarceness of resources, and a well-founded skepticism about the value of research and the motivations of researchers. An emerging controversy over the form and nature of informed consent to participate in studies also has threatened research in Indian communities. Where signed permission from parents for their child's participation in survey research has been required, the resulting data have been severely compromised. Several different attempts to obtain written permission have been attempted, but with little success.

When neutrality is negative

As the percentage of the population with previous survey experience is high, it is important to study the relation between nonresponse and quality of survey experience. It was hypothesized that the pleasantness of the most recent participation in survey research would influence the willingness of persons to participate again as a respondent in surveys. Results of a survey among 981 respondents in the Netherlands indicate that significantly more respondents with a pleasant most recent survey experience had participated in the past year than respondents with an unpleasant, or indifferent most recent experience. An unpleasant or indifferent most recent participation increased the delay between participations by 50%.

Trends in Attitudes Toward and Participation in Survey Research

This study, now in its sixth wave, examines trends in consumers' willingness to be surveyed as well as attitudes toward being interviewed and toward the survey research industry in general. The results raise some important questions in terms of multiple participation and its effect on the validity of survey data. They also challenge researchers to examine their own standards and practices in order to enhance the relationship between researchers and the participants.

A Note on Determining Questionnaire Destination in Survey Research

R eliance upon survey techniques in the analysis of general social phenomena of academic interest (e.g., social mobility and patterns of psychiatric disorder) as well as those of more practical concern (e.g., voting or consumer product preferences) has become ,commonplace. Extant literature addressed to the design and implementation of either interview or questionnaire surveys tends to focus upon issues such as sample selection, question or format development, coding and data analysis techniques. In instances of survey questionnaires distributed through the mails, however, little attention has been devoted to evaluating the consequences of selecting particular locations at which to confront subjects with the general research effort and the specific data collection instrument. In the course of recent sui-vey research it became possible to determine the relative importance of questionnaire reception at either the home or employment sites of subjects for overall survey return rates, as well as question completion rates for items categorized as closed-ended (i.e., answers constrained by given response alternatives) and open-ended (i.e., responses structured solely by subject feelings). The research project in question was designed to ascertain the perceptions and preferences of civic activists (i.e., Chamber of Commerce members) in western New York State in respect to the structure and functioning of various universities. Random selection of Chamber members generated a pool of 700 male subjects between the ages of thirty-five and seventy and employed in professional or managerial occupations. Given the availability of dual addresses for each individual, 350 subjects received survey questionnaires at their place of residence and an equal number received questionnaires at work sites. Each questionnaire contained a total of 64 closedended questions and 26 open-ended items usually requesting amplifications upon responses to previous closed-ended questions. Overall return rates for subjects contacted at place of work or residence were identical, both in terms of the rate of response (i.e., time elapsed prior to questionnaire return) and the final number of questionnaires returned by subjects. Between-group differences in completion rates for the 64 closed-ended questions proved insignificant, as did an analysis of the actual attitudes (i.e., resporses to closed-ended items) of subjects when grouped according to reception location. In terms of open-ended items, however, subject reception of a questionnaire at place of employment resulted in significantly greater (beyond the .01 level) numbers of completions (X = 23.4, s =2.4) than did contact of an individual at place of residence (X 18.1, s=4.1). Subsequent interviews with subjects revealed that participation in survey research through questionnaires, whether at work or residence sites, necessitates overcoming barriers caused by inertia, disinterest or resentment of intrusion. Although this results in similar rates of questionnaire return and response to closedended items, the actual completion of time consuming open-ended questions by individuals while at work appears facilitated by (1) the evocation of work-centered achievement orientations, (2) the organizational appropriateness of writing activity as a task diversion, and (3) formal corporate acceptance of participa-