Accuracy of geographically targeted internet advertisements on Google AdWords for recruitment in a randomized trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Google AdWords are increasingly used to recruit people into research studies and clinical services. They offer the potential to recruit from targeted control areas in cluster randomized controlled trials (RCTs), but little is known about the feasibility of accurately targeting ads by location and comparing with control areas.

Objective

To examine the accuracy and contamination of control areas by a location-targeted online intervention using Google AdWords in a pilot cluster RCT.

Methods

Based on previous use of online cognitive behavioral therapy for depression and population size, we purposively selected 16 of the 121 British postcode areas and randomized them to three intervention and one (do-nothing) control arms. Two intervention arms included use of l

SUBMITTER: Jones RB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3414907 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature