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5.1 What must be included in research advertisements?

• The IRB must approval all recruitment plans and advertisements prior to use. Please see our forms page for additional guidance and templates. In general, all non-exempt study advertisements must include,
  • Name of PI and contact information and institution
  • Title and purpose of the project and disclosure that project is for research
  • Inclusion/exclusion criteria in summary form
  • Brief listing or summary of procedures,
  • Time commitment
  • Potential compensation
  • Additional information – should not emphasize compensation or use catchy or enticing language or graphics.

5.2 May I use social media to recruit?

• Yes, but it is important to understand the platform (to help ensure privacy and confidentiality) that is being used.
• Many researchers use social media as part of their recruitment strategy. If your research recruitment plans include using social media (Facebook, Twitter, blogs, Instagram, etc.) you must submit a description of your plans (i.e., platforms, frequency of posting, and process of corresponding), copies of the exact text (including pictures) proposed for use during recruitment. Recruitment strategies using social media platforms should, whenever possible, follow the basic standards used for any other form of research recruitment. To help ensure privacy and ensure that potential participants are fully informed about the study, the IRB typically requires that initial posts on social media be more general in nature and allow users to link to a site that contains more detailed information about the study (consent form, eligibility requirements, etc).
• The IRB does not endorse posting directly/publicly to any individual or organization’s social media account without prior authorization- such plans will be reviewed in context of the entire project.
• To further help protect the privacy of participants, the IRB does not typically endorse the use of social media as a form of two way communication or the use of private accounts.
• Please see our forms page for additional guidance and templates. 
• Additional Guidance    (PDF)

5.3 Are recruitment templates or more detailed guidance available?

• Yes, for a comprehensive overview of recruitment review recruitment guidance and template document.

5.4 What is ResearchMatch?

•  a National Institutes of Health (NIH) recruitment support program is live! Learn more on the Recruitment FAQ page. 
• DO NOT REGISTER A STUDY UNTIL AFTER IRB APPROVAL IS OBTAINED!
• To qualify, your study must be "health related" and you must have IRB approval to recruit via ResearchMatch.
  • Already approved studies: you must submit an amendment and specifically state you are “Adding ResearchMatch to aid in subject recruitment.” You must include the recruitment script.
  • New studies, select “other” and enter “ResearchMatch.” You must include the recruitment script.
• Kent State's obligation is to help grow the subject pool, which is currently over 156,000. If you know anyone that may be interested in becoming a research subject, let them know about ResearchMatch.
• Review this help document.  

5.5 Can I recruit via email?

• Yes, but it is important to only use emails obtained through valid channels. For KSU students, this is typically the Registrar's Office. 
• It is also important to consider subject privacy when recruiting via email. In many instances it may be a violation of privacy to email subjects using narrow criteria. In many instances email offers no privacy. 
• Always use BCC!