The day-of-invitation effect on participation in web-based studies.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Wolff HG
PROVIDER: S-EPMC9374600 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Aug
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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The day-of-invitation effect on participation in web-based studies.
Wolff Hans-Georg HG Göritz Anja S AS
Behavior research methods 20211028 4
Several methods have been proposed to promote participation in web-based research. Here, we examine a technique that is available at no cost: Inviting respondents per e-mail on a particular day of the week. We base our reasoning on such a day-of-invitation effect upon theories on variations in mood and work performance over the week. We conducted five experiments with large and heterogeneous samples to find out whether such effects apply for response rate (i.e., visiting the first page of a stud ...[more]
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Project description:BackgroundPreventive primary care programs that aim to reduce morbidity and mortality from lifestyle-related diseases are often affected by low-to-moderate participation rates. Improving participation rates is essential for clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness. In 2016-2017, we conducted a pilot study (TOF pilot1) for a preventive primary care intervention (TOF is the Danish abbreviation for "Early Detection and Prevention"). Among 8814 invited patients, 3545 (40.22%) consented to participate, with the highest participation rates among women and patients with higher income, education, and employment.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a revised invitation strategy on invitation comprehensibility, the overall participation rate, and participant demography. The new strategy specifically targeted men and patients of low educational attainment.MethodsThis study was embedded in the second TOF pilot study (TOF pilot2, initiated in October 2018) that tested an adjusted intervention. The revised invitation strategy comprised a prenotification postcard and a new invitation that specifically targeted men and patients of low educational attainment. The new invitation was developed in a co-design process that included communication professionals and target-group representatives. The study sample consisted of 4633 patients aged between 29 and 59 years, who resided in one of two municipalities in the Region of Southern Denmark. Eligible patients were randomly assigned to one of four invitation groups. The control group (Group 1) received the original invitation used in TOF pilot1. The intervention groups received the original invitation and the prenotification postcard (Group 2), the new revised invitation and the prenotification postcard (Group 3), or the new invitation but no prenotification postcard (Group 4).ResultsOverall, 2171 (46.86%) patients consented to participate. Compared to the control group, participation rates increased significantly in all three intervention groups (all P<.001). Participation across the three intervention groups increased for women and men, as well as for patients with high and low educational attainment and high and low family income. The largest relative increase in participation rates occurred among men, patients with low educational attainment, and patients with low family income. No increase in participation was detected for unemployed patients or patients of non-Danish origin. Most participants found the original (813/987, 82.37%) and new (965/1133, 85.17%) invitations easy to understand with no significant difference (P=.08) in comprehensibility between invitations.ConclusionsThe results suggest that participation in preventive primary care interventions can be greatly increased by implementing a co-design-based invitation strategy that includes prenotification postcards and targeted invitations. Although firm conclusions cannot be made from this study, the observed increased participation rates for men and patients of low socioeconomic status may be relevant in programs that aim to reduce social inequality in health.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT03913585; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03913585.
| S-EPMC7991992 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundEarly detection of lung disease may help reduce disease development. Detection through preventive health checks may be beneficial. Nevertheless, the knowledge is sparse on how to enhance the participation rate in health checks among citizens at risk of developing lung disease. This study investigates if focused information on spirometry can increase the participation rate in a general health check.MethodsWe conducted an open-label, household cluster-randomised trial with a two-group parallel design including 4407 citizens aged 30-49 years in Denmark and an average cluster size of 1.55 citizens per household. The control group (n = 2213) received a standard invitation describing the content of the general health check and containing practical information. The intervention group (n = 2194) received an extended invitation highlighting the benefits of early detection and prevention of lung disease. The primary outcome was difference in participation rate between the two groups. The secondary outcome was the proportion of participants at risk of lung disease in both groups. Risk profile was defined as current smoking or self-reported lung symptoms. The inclusion period was 25 November 2015-3 February 2017.ResultsNo major difference in participation rate was seen between the intervention group (53.4%) and the control group (52.0%). Participants had statistically significantly higher education level compared to non-participants. A total of 24.2% of the participants were at risk of developing lung disease, but no difference was found between the intervention group and the control group.ConclusionThis study revealed no effect on participation rate of including focused spirometry information in the health check invitation.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02615769 . Registered on 25 November 2015. The trial protocol has been published.
| S-EPMC6714428 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundParticipation of general practitioners is crucial for health care studies. However, recruiting them is an ongoing challenge and participation rates of general practitioners around the globe are often low. One feasible and cost-efficient approach to potentially enhance participation rates among general practitioners are personalized invitation letters, since they may increase one's attention to and appreciation of a study. Still, evidence whether this method actually affects participation is scarce and ambiguous in relation to physicians.MethodsWe undertook a randomized trial in a sample of general practitioners from three German states in the context of a large, observational study on physicians' coordination and uptake of recommended cardiovascular ambulatory care. An intervention group (n = 757 general practitioners) received a personalized invitation to participate in the observational study, the control group (n = 754 general practitioners) received a generic invitation. Both groups were blinded to group assignment. Eventual participation rates as well as the number and types of responses overall were compared between arms. Besides the main intervention, sociodemographic and geographical context factors were considered as well.ResultsThe overall participation rate among physicians was 2.6% (2.8% in the intervention group and 2.4% in the control group). No statistically significant effect of personalization on participation of physicians was found (relative risk to participate when receiving a personalized invitation of 1.17 [95%-CI: 0.62, 2.21]). However, the number of responses to the invitation varied significantly between the geographical regions.ConclusionsPersonalization of first written contact alone did not improve research participation among general practitioners, which was overall very low.Trial registrationThe study in which the trial was embedded has been registered prospectively at the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS) under registration number DRKS00019219 .
| S-EPMC8590365 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ImportanceRepresentative enrollment in clinical trials is critical to ensure equitable and effective translation of research to practice, yet disparities in clinical trial enrollment persist.ObjectiveTo examine person-level factors associated with invitation to and participation in clinical trials.Design, setting, and participantsThis cross-sectional study analyzed responses from 3689 US adults who participated in the nationally representative Health Information National Trends Survey, collected February through June 2020 via mailed questionnaires.ExposuresDemographic, clinical, and health behavior-related characteristics.Main outcomes and measuresHistory of invitation to and participation in a clinical trial, primary information sources, trust in information sources, and motives for participation in clinical trials were described. Respondent characteristics are presented as absolute numbers and weighted percentages. Associations between respondent demographic, clinical, and health behavior-related characteristics and clinical trial invitation and participation were estimated using survey-weighted logistic regression models.ResultsThe median (IQR) age of the 3689 respondents was 48 (33-61) years, and most were non-Hispanic White individuals (2063 [59%]; non-Hispanic Black, 452 [10%]; Hispanic, 521 [14%]), had more than a high school degree (2656 [68%]), were employed (1809 [58%]), and had at least 1 medical condition (2535 [61%]). Overall, 439 respondents (9%) had been invited to participate in any clinical trial. Respondents with increased odds of invitation were non-Hispanic Black compared with non-Hispanic White (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.85; 95% CI, 1.13-3.02), had greater than a high school education compared with less than high school education (eg, ≥college degree: aOR, 4.84; 95% CI, 1.89-12.39), were single compared with married or living as married (aOR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.04-2.73), and had at least 1 medical condition compared to none (eg, 1 medical condition: aOR, 2.25; 95% CI, 1.32-3.82). Respondents residing in rural vs urban areas had 77% decreased odds of invitation to a clinical trial (aOR 0.33; 95% CI 0.17-0.65). Of invited respondents, 199 (47%) participated. Compared with non-Hispanic White respondents, non-Hispanic Black respondents had 72% decreased odds of clinical trial participation (aOR, 0.28; 95% CI, 0.09-0.87). Respondents most frequently reported "health care providers" as the first and most trusted source of clinical trial information (first source: 2297 [59%]; most trusted source: 2597 [70%]). The most frequently reported motives for clinical trials participation were "wanting to get better" (2294 [66%]) and the standard of care not being covered by insurance (1448 [41%]).Conclusions and relevanceThe findings of this study suggest that invitation to and participation in clinical trials may differ by person-level demographic and clinical characteristics. Strategies toward increasing trial invitation and participation rates across diverse patient populations warrant further research to ensure equitable translation of clinical benefits from research to practice.
| S-EPMC8482053 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The purpose of this study was to analyze secondary resiliency and user experience outcomes from a novel, 8-week website-based mind-body intervention (NF-Web) for adults (18+) with neurofibromatosis (NF1, NF2, and schwannomatosis), a genetic, neurocutaneous disorder characterized by nerve sheath tumors of the central and peripheral nervous system. The study design was a secondary data analysis of a single-arm, early feasibility pilot study (September 2020-May 2021) for adults with NF (N = 28). Across participants, the mean age was 46 (SD = 13.67) and included 22 females and 6 males. Participants completed baseline and posttest assessments (t-tests), as well as exit interviews (exploratory rapid data analysis). Results demonstrated that participation was associated with pre-to-post improvements in gratitude, coping, and mindfulness (p < .05). Exit interviews indicated participant enjoyment and that many would recommend NF-Web to a friend. Participants found the website easy to navigate and enjoyed NF-Web's video format. Many found transcripts useful if they had hearing differences or if English was their second language. NF-Web demonstrated initial signals of improvement in resiliency outcomes and positive user experience. Future pilot RCTs will explore these changes by NF type.
| S-EPMC10735002 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundQuestionnaires are widely used in survey research, especially in cohort studies. However, participation in questionnaire studies has been declining over the past decades. Because high participation rates are needed to limit the risk of selection bias and produce valid results, it is important to investigate invitation strategies which may improve participation.ObjectivesThe purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of Web-based versus paper-based questionnaires on participation rates in a questionnaire survey on late effects among childhood cancer survivors (CCSs).MethodsA total of 750 CCSs were randomized across 3 study arms. The initial invitation in study arms 1 and 2 consisted of a Web-based questionnaire only, whereas in study arm 3 this invitation was complemented with a paper-based version of the questionnaire. The first postal reminder, sent to the nonresponding CCSs in all 3 study arms, consisted of either a reminder letter only (study arms 1 and 3) or a reminder letter complemented with a paper-based questionnaire (study arm 2). The second postal reminder was restricted to CCSs in study arms 1 and 2, with only those in study arm 1 also receiving a paper-based questionnaire. CCSs in study arm 3 received a second reminder by telephone instead of by mail. In contrast to CCSs in study arm 3, CCSs in study arms 1 and 2 received a third reminder, this time by telephone. Results: Overall, 58.1% (436/750) of the CCSs participated in the survey. Participation rates were equal in all 3 study arms with 57.4% (143/249) in arm 1, 60.6% (152/251) in arm 2, and 56.4% (141/250) in arm 3 (P=.09). Participation rates of CCSs who received an initial invitation for the Web-based questionnaire only and CCSs who received an invitation to complete either a paper-based or Web-based questionnaire did not differ (P=.55). After the first postal reminder, participation rates of CCSs invited for the Web-based questionnaire only also did not differ compared with CCSs invited for both the Web-based and paper-based questionnaires (P=.48). In general, CCSs preferred the paper-based over the Web-based questionnaire, and those completing the paper-based questionnaire were more often unemployed (P=.004) and lower educated (P<.001).ConclusionInvitation strategies offering a Web-based questionnaire without a paper-based alternative at first invitation can be used without compromising participation rates of CCS. Offering the choice between paper- and Web-based questionnaires seems to result in the highest accrual participation rate. Future research should look into the quality of the data delivered by both questionnaires filled in by respondents themselves.Trial registrationInternational Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN): 84711754; http://www.controlled-trials.com/ISRCTN84711754 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6c9ZB8paX).
| S-EPMC5367669 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ObjectiveTo examine the weight-loss success associated with distinct dietary patterns and to determine changes of these dietary patterns during participation in a web-based weight-reduction programme.DesignFactor analysis was used to identify the dietary patterns of twenty-two food groups that were administered in 14 d dietary protocols at baseline and after 3 months. Successful weight loss (≥5% of initial weight) and BMI were calculated. Logistic regression analyses were used to assess the rates of weight-loss success from each dietary pattern and changing or remaining in the initial dietary pattern. A generalised linear mixed model was used to estimate the effects of changing or staying in a dietary pattern on change in BMI.SubjectsAdults (n 1635) aged 18-81 years.SettingUsers of a web-based weight-reduction programme (2006-2012).ResultsParticipants who aligned to a healthful dietary pattern at baseline (OR=1·8; 95% CI 1·5, 2·3) and after 3 months (OR=1·5; 95% CI 1·2, 1·9) had a greater chance of successfully losing weight. After adjusting for age, sex, initial dietary pattern and BMI, participants who started with or changed to the healthful dietary pattern had a greater chance of being successful (OR=1·4; 95% CI 1·1, 1·7) and a higher BMI reduction of 0·30 (95% CI 0·2, 0·5) kg/m(2) compared with those who started with or changed to the energy-dense or high-carbohydrate dietary pattern.ConclusionsA favourable healthful dietary pattern at the beginning and after 3 months was positively associated with anthropometry. However, successful weight loss was feasible in each dietary pattern.
| S-EPMC10271013 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundWeb-based challenges, phenomena that are familiar to adolescents and young adults who spend large amounts of time on social media, range from minimally harmful behaviors intended to support philanthropic endeavors to significantly harmful behaviors that may culminate in injury or death.ObjectiveThis study aims to investigate the beliefs that lead adolescents and young adults to participate in these activities by analyzing the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) ice bucket challenge, representing nonharmful behaviors associated with web-based challenges, and the cinnamon challenge, representing web-based challenges that lead to harmful behaviors.MethodsA retrospective quantitative study was conducted with a total of 471 participants aged between 13 and 35 years who either had participated in the ALS ice bucket challenge or the cinnamon challenge, or had never participated in any web-based challenge. Binomial logistic regression models were used to classify those who participated in the ALS ice bucket challenge or cinnamon challenge versus those who did not engage in either challenge using the integrated behavioral model's beliefs as predictors.ResultsThe findings showed that participants of both the cinnamon challenge and the ALS ice bucket challenge had significantly greater expectations from the public to participate in the challenge they completed in comparison with individuals who never participated in any challenge (P=.01 for the cinnamon challenge and P=.003 for the ALS ice bucket challenge). Cinnamon challenge participants had greater value for the outcomes of the challenge (P<.001) and perceived positive public opinion about the challenge (P<.001), in comparison with individuals who never participated in any challenge. In contrast, ALS ice bucket challenge participants had significantly greater positive emotional responses than individuals who never participated in any challenge (P<.001).ConclusionsThe constructs that contribute to the spread of web-based challenges vary based on the level of self-harm involved in the challenge and its purpose. Intervention efforts could be tailored to address the beliefs associated with different types of web-based challenges.
| S-EPMC8078707 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BACKGROUND:Copy number variations (CNVs) are large segments of the genome that are duplicated or deleted. Structural variations in the genome have been linked to many complex diseases. Similar to how genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have helped discover single-nucleotide polymorphisms linked to disease phenotypes, the extension of GWAS to CNVs has aided the discovery of structural variants associated with human traits and diseases. RESULTS:We present CoNVaQ, an easy-to-use web-based tool for CNV-based association studies. The web service allows users to upload two sets of CNV segments and search for genomic regions where the occurrence of CNVs is significantly associated with the phenotype. CoNVaQ provides two models: a simple statistical model using Fisher's exact test and a novel query-based model matching regions to user-defined queries. For each region, the method computes a global q-value statistic by repeated permutation of samples among the populations. We demonstrate our platform by using it to analyze a data set of HPV-positive and HPV-negative penile cancer patients. CONCLUSIONS:CoNVaQ provides a simple workflow for performing CNV-based association studies. It is made available as a web platform in order to provide a user-friendly workflow for biologists and clinicians to carry out CNV data analysis without installing any software. Through the web interface, users are also able to analyze their results to find overrepresented GO terms and pathways. In addition, our method is also available as a package for the R programming language. CoNVaQ is available at https://convaq.compbio.sdu.dk .
| S-EPMC5960125 | biostudies-other
Project description:BackgroundSeveral influential aspects of survey research have been under-investigated and there is a lack of guidance on reporting survey studies, especially web-based projects. In this review, we aim to investigate the reporting practices and quality of both web- and non-web-based survey studies to enhance the quality of reporting medical evidence that is derived from survey studies and to maximize the efficiency of its consumption.MethodsReporting practices and quality of 100 random web- and 100 random non-web-based articles published from 2004 to 2016 were assessed using the SUrvey Reporting GuidelinE (SURGE). The CHERRIES guideline was also used to assess the reporting quality of Web-based studies.ResultsOur results revealed a potential gap in the reporting of many necessary checklist items in both web-based and non-web-based survey studies including development, description and testing of the questionnaire, the advertisement and administration of the questionnaire, sample representativeness and response rates, incentives, informed consent, and methods of statistical analysis.ConclusionOur findings confirm the presence of major discrepancies in reporting results of survey-based studies. This can be attributed to the lack of availability of updated universal checklists for quality of reporting standards. We have summarized our findings in a table that may serve as a roadmap for future guidelines and checklists, which will hopefully include all types and all aspects of survey research.
| S-EPMC6005542 | biostudies-literature