Consultation

Identify, reach and enroll your target population, overcome barriers and achieve your recruitment goals

The goal of every research study is one that is fully recruited with high retention. In order to make that goal a possibility, research teams are encouraged to request recruitment and retention consultation early in the planning and design of their studies.

Consultation is available to help research teams with:

  • Understanding potential participants' motivation to enroll in studies
  • Design of marketing materials (brochures/flyers/cards)
  • Assistance with the process of obtaining IRB approval to use ResearchMatch for recruitment and best practices
  • Guidance with listing research studies on StudySearch
  • Creating a positive environment for the research team and study participants
  • Connecting with the university's marketing and social media opportunities
  • Research Informatics Resources, including Clinical Trials Alerts, IHS for research and Information Warehouse requests (feasibility)

Request a Consultation

Learn more:

Mary Becker

Recruitment and Retention

614-293-4198

A Guide to Obtaining IRB Approval to Use ResearchMatch for Participant Recruitment

Any researcher may have a ResearchMatch Feasibility Account. “Feasibility Access” restricts users to aggregate information showing the approximate number of ResearchMatch Volunteers who meet the researchers search criteria. A researcher may create a ResearchMatch “Feasibility Account” by going to www.ResearchMatch.org and clicking on “Researchers” at the top of the page and then follow the directions when clicking “Register Now.” 

To obtain “Recruitment Access” which allows researchers to search and contact volunteers, an active IRB approved protocol or an exemption determination is required. The study protocol and IRB application or exemption must reference the use of ResearchMatch for participant recruitment.  

  1. To obtain IRB approval or exemption to use ResearchMatch for recruitment
    1. Complete the IRB application (initial review or amendment/changes) or an Application for Exemption as applicable. A new exemption must be requested to add ResearchMatch (RM) to a study for which an exemption was previously issued.
    2. Follow the submission instructions
    3. Attach the document entitled, “Guidance and Message Template for IRB Submission for Use of 

ResearchMatch.org (RM)” to your application. This document will contain the information needed by the IRB:

  1. The description of ResearchMatch
  2. A hyperlink so all can see the most recent IRB approval and university agreement for it
  3. The RM message that the researcher will be using to contact RM volunteers.
    1. Include the use of ResearchMatch in your protocol as a recruitment strategy.
      1. “I am requestng the use of ResearchMatch.org for participant recruitment on this protocol.”
    2. List all team members who will be authorized to recruit for the study using ResearchMatch as investigators or key personnel on the protocol study team.
    3. The Recruitment Message for ResearchMatch should contain the specific message for the protocol. It is best to seek advice from one of the ResearchMatch Liaisons (Mary.Becker@osumc.edu and Clara.Kalis@osumc.edu) for best practices of writing a ResearchMatch message. There are character limitations and other limitations to the ResearchMatch message. 
  1. Once IRB approval obtained for use of ResearchMatch
    1. Once you receive IRB approval to use ResearchMatch for recruitment, contact your ResearchMatch 

Liaisons for next steps to set up your RM recruitment account

    1. You will be asked to scan the IRB approval letter and approved ResearchMatch message into one document and upload it into the recruitment account.
    2. Liaisons will set up an appointment to assist with your first search.

Publications supported by The Ohio State University CCTS must cite the CTSA Grant number (UL1TR002733) and by law, be submitted to PubMed Central. For instructions, review the NIH Public Access Policy on the CCTS website