Hot Tip: Be Transparent when Recruiting for Qualitative Research

Participants are very articulate about feeling as though we, on the research side, are not honest or transparent about what we’re asking of them. This is the foundation of our relationship with them and goes a long way to setting the stage for a dysfunctional one. Be upfront about how long the screener will be, what the methodology is, how long the project will take, what will be expected of them, and what they will get out of it. They appreciate this and it’s nothing that can’t be built into the screener. Clients must give direction for suppliers to be as proactive and clear to the participant as possible about the logistics and what to expect. Be sure to share key details multiple times!

“I dislike the process of the screening. You never know what a research company is looking for demographic- wise. I like to participate in them and it is unfair when you can get disqualified for being a different race or age. It should be able to accept a wide range of people instead of only looking for certain demographics.”

“They left out a portion of what the study entailed over the phone and told me about once I got there. Left, wasn’t worth my time.”

– Participant Experience Online Qualitative Community, Jessica Broome & Kerry Hecht, May 2016 Tip provided by: Kerry Hecht Labsuirs Echo Qualitative Project Support     Nikki Lavoie Mindspark Research International     Katrina Noelle KNow Research