INTRODUCTION: The aim of the present study was to explore the viability of using social media as a recruitment tool in a clinical research trial. Sociodemographic data and smoking characteristics were assessed in 266 participants recruited to investigate the effectiveness of a behavioral support program for smoking cessation. METHODS: For analysis, participants were separated into 2 groups based on whether they were recruited either using traditional means (flyers, word of mouth, or newspaper advertisement; n = 125, 47.0%) or by advertisements in online social media (n = 138, 51.9%). RESULTS: Participants recruited via social media were significantly younger, but there were no differences in other socioeconomic variables or smoking characteristics compared with participants recruited via other traditional means. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the present study suggest that using online social media is a viable recruitment method for smoking studies and compliments other more traditional recruitment methods.
INTRODUCTION: The aim of the present study was to explore the viability of using social media as a recruitment tool in a clinical research trial. Sociodemographic data and smoking characteristics were assessed in 266 participants recruited to investigate the effectiveness of a behavioral support program for smoking cessation. METHODS: For analysis, participants were separated into 2 groups based on whether they were recruited either using traditional means (flyers, word of mouth, or newspaper advertisement; n = 125, 47.0%) or by advertisements in online social media (n = 138, 51.9%). RESULTS:Participants recruited via social media were significantly younger, but there were no differences in other socioeconomic variables or smoking characteristics compared with participants recruited via other traditional means. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the present study suggest that using online social media is a viable recruitment method for smoking studies and compliments other more traditional recruitment methods.
Authors: Carmen Rosa; Aimee N C Campbell; Gloria M Miele; Meg Brunner; Erin L Winstanley Journal: Contemp Clin Trials Date: 2015-07-12 Impact factor: 2.226
Authors: Wenying Lu; Kate Chappell; Julia A E Walters; Glenn A Jacobson; Rahul Patel; Natalie Schüz; Stuart G Ferguson Journal: Psychopharmacology (Berl) Date: 2017-03-24 Impact factor: 4.530