Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Research Protocols
Date Submitted: Dec 5, 2022
Date Accepted: Jun 15, 2023
Identifying the most effective recruitment strategy using financial reimbursements for an online peer network study with young people aged 16-18 years: Protocol for a randomised controlled trial
ABSTRACT
Background:
Peers are an important determinant of health and wellbeing during late adolescence; however, there is limited quantitative research examining peer influence. Previous peer network research with adolescents faced methodological limitations and difficulties recruiting young people.
Objective:
This study aims to determine whether an online peer network survey is effective at recruiting adolescent peer networks by comparing two strategies for reimbursement.
Methods:
This study will use a two-group randomised trial design to test the effectiveness of reimbursements for peer referral in an online cross-sectional peer network survey. Young people aged 16-18 years recruited through Instagram, Snapchat and a survey panel will be randomised to receive either scaled-group reimbursement or fixed-individual reimbursement. All participants will receive $5 reimbursement for their own survey completion. In Group 1 (scaled group reimbursement), all participants within a peer network will receive an additional $5 voucher for each referred participant who completes the study, up to a maximum total value of $30 per participant. In Group 2 (fixed individual reimbursement), participants will only be reimbursed for their own survey completion. Participants’ peer networks are assessed during the survey by asking about their ‘close friends’. A unique survey link will be generated to share with the participant’s nominated friends for recruitment of secondary participants. Outcomes are the proportion of a participant’s peer network and the number of referred peers who complete the survey. Using a multi-level logistic regression model, we will assess the effect of the reimbursement intervention on the proportion of primary participants’ close friends who complete the survey.
Results:
Participant recruitment commenced in 2022.
Conclusions:
The outcomes of this trial will improve recruitment of young people to web-based network studies of sensitive health issues. Clinical Trial: Despite being a randomised controlled trial, the study was not registered as the primary outcome (recruitment of friends) is not a direct health or medical outcome.
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