Recruiting Participants into Pilot Trials: Techniques for Researchers with Shoestring Budgets

Limited research has focused on recruitment strategies for health promotion researchers conducting smallscale pilot studies. Such research is important because small studies often have limited funding streams and personnel resources. Accordingly, many techniques implemented by large-scale studies are of limited use to smaller research projects. This article provides an overview effective participant recruitment techniques for pilot studies with limited funds and personnel resources. Recruitment techniques were derived from the first author’s experience in recruiting participants during his doctoral and postdoctoral studies, the over 25 years of research experience of each of the co-authors, and an extensive review of the literature. Five key recruitment techniques are discussed: 1) leverage existing social networks and personal contacts, 2) identify and foster collaborations with community gatekeepers, 3) develop a comprehensive list of potential recruitment platforms and venues, 4) create recruitment materials that succinctly describe the purpose of the study, and 5) build respectful and trusting relationships with potential participants. Implementation of the proposed techniques can lead to enhanced recruitment, as well as retention among study participants

Prospectus, May 5, 1982

STUGO HEARS NEW BUDGET; News Digest; Phi Beta Lambda wins Organization of the Year; Gissing, Feaster elected to StuGo; Support for Ground Zero Week is appreciated; StuGo VP thanks voters; Where was P.C. students and staff; Dental students receive pins and caps at ceremonies; Channel 12 series deals with atomic bomb \u27father\u27; P.C. Happenings...: Stretch, revitalize to relieve stress, Brown and Brodie appearing tonight, Health awards given to RTTers, June 1 is deadline for ISSC awards, P.C. horse show set for May 8, Register by May 14 for Fest exhibit at Civic Center; Final Examinations -- Spring, 1982; Swimming scheduled to begin at park; Giant star dying say astronomers; May Day festival has long history; Old Cattle Bank to get new look; Miss USA visits Champaign area; DWI arrests have doubled; Vis art students display their work; Classifieds; Kenny Rogers lives up to his usual high standards; \u27Cat People\u27 eerie, causes controversy; \u27Best Little Whorehouse...\u27 well received by large crowd; Combo Audio sound in a class of its own; The Jam release another gem; North-South game will benefit youth; Parkland College runners predict good yearhttps://spark.parkland.edu/prospectus_1982/1019/thumbnail.jp

Prospectus, September 12, 1979

VOTE!; Arlo Guthrie is reviewed -- onstage and off; Cobras to star on TV; Bloodsucking auditions to be held next week; Real estate workshop Sat.; Join the Circle K; International rep. speaks out; Support the candidate of your choice: Vote today; Start a write-in campaign; The two faces of Arlo; Top 10 For WPCD; Classifieds; Chanute celebrates Hispanic week; \u27Pal\u27 program trying to get a start; STO will have formal Rush; Circus reservations still available; New art shop in St. Joseph; Krannert events thru 16th; Freddy is upset; Sport shortssportshortsportshortsport; Fast Freddy Contesthttps://spark.parkland.edu/prospectus_1979/1013/thumbnail.jp

Pollen DNA barcoding:Current applications and future prospects.

Identification of the species origin of pollen has many applications, including assessment of plant-pollinator networks, reconstruction of ancient plant communities, product authentication, allergen monitoring, and forensics. Such applications, however, have previously been limited by microscopy-based identification of pollen, which is slow, has low taxonomic resolution, and few expert practitioners. One alternative is pollen DNA barcoding, which could overcome these issues. Recent studies demonstrate that both chloroplast and nuclear barcoding markers can be amplified from pollen. These recent validations of pollen metabarcoding indicate that now is the time for researchers in various fields to consider applying these methods to their research programs. In this paper, we review the nascent field of pollen DNA barcoding and discuss potential new applications of this technology, highlighting existing limitations and future research developments that will improve its utility in a wide range of applications.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Donor power and the news:The influence of foundation funding on international public service journalism

How does donor funding affect the independence, role-perceptions and ideology of the journalism it supports? We begin to answer this increasingly important but under-researched question with a year-long case study of the humanitarian newswire IRIN as it transitioned from being funded by the United Nations to a private foundation, run by a Malaysian billionaire. Using content analysis, in-depth interviews, and ethnographic research we document the changes that occurred in IRIN’s outputs, target audience and public service values and the complex interplay of influences which produced these changes. We find that, in this case, donor power operated entirely indirectly and always in concert with the dominant professional values within IRIN. In doing so, this case study highlights the importance of journalistic agency and contextual variables in the journalist-donor relationship, as well as the potential significance of contradictory dynamics. We also use this case to test whether Benson, Hesserus and Sedel’s model of media owner power can help to explain the workings of donor power

Prospectus, February 6, 1980

BUSH BREAKFASTS WITH CHAMPAIGN: FRESH FROM IOWA VICTORY, GEORGE BUSH SPEAKS TO CROWD; College hours are in jeopardy; Week in Review: World, State; Elections today for Stugo; Campus Happenings; Black History Month; Counseling center for choosing careers; Child abuse seminar at Parkland College; Chief Dye: \u27drinking laws tough to enforce\u27; Campus Question: Has raising the drinking age affected your social life?; Letters to the editor: Intramurals for females, also; Between the Tracks: New Wave groups to start off the 80s; Heartbreakers selling big; Free Wheelin\u27 puts out new LP; Classifieds; Champaign Park District counts on donations; Four Cobras win: Trackmen win Chicago Relays meet; U. of I. members help skiers; Exhibit of Olympics at U. of I.; Intramural basketball starts; Mile Relay highlights Cobra\u27s track meet; Cagers upset Kankakee; Bench Warmer: Women cagers look tough; Women slip to 13-6; IM adds volleyballhttps://spark.parkland.edu/prospectus_1980/1039/thumbnail.jp

Change in Markers of Bone Metabolism with Chemotherapy for Advanced Prostate Cancer: Interleukin-6 Response Is a Potential Early Indicator of Response to Therapy

Men with androgen-independent prostate cancer (AIPC) frequently have bone metastasis. The effects of chemotherapy on markers of bone metabolism have not been well characterized. We conducted a prospective study of patients with AIPC randomized in the first cycle to receive either docetaxel/estramustine or zoledronic acid, a bisphosphonate, to inhibit osteoclastic activity. Here we report the effects of therapy on markers of bone metabolism in these patients following the first cycle of therapy. Serum levels of several indices of bone remodeling were evaluated using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Changes in markers of bone metabolism were compared in patients receiving initial chemotherapy versus bisphosphonate. There was no significant difference in median change in any of the measured bone markers in patients given zoledronic acid when compared to chemotherapy. When comparing responders to nonresponders, overall interleukin-6 (IL-6) decreased by 35% in prostate-specific antigen responders; whereas, IL-6 levels increased by 76% in nonresponders (p = 0.03). Elevated IL-6 levels and reductions in IL-6 levels early in treatment may reflect ultimate clinical response to docetaxel-based regimens.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/78145/1/jir.2008.0024.pd

Prospectus, September 10, 1980

ARE YOU A \u27REAL STUDENT\u27?; Parkland People; Gamut challenges you; Emergency course offered; Oops!; Stugo hopefuls list qualifications; Kinks wow U of I fans; Coates announces student audtions; Country music is moving up; Women\u27s Program offers self-series; Classifieds; Students are....well, just students; Student disappointed; Correction; Science You Can See: Ask not what Cable T.V. can do for you, ask what you can do for Cable T.V.; B-ball deadline is Sept. 22; Football and tennis are IM openers; PC Datebook; Golfers begin season with win over Danville; After some surprises last week, Fast Freddy is ready; LaBadie confident of his runners; Fast Freddy Contest; Bench Warmer: Cobras show talenthttps://spark.parkland.edu/prospectus_1980/1022/thumbnail.jp