Selective Attrition in Longitudinal Studies: Effective Processes for Facebook Tracing
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| Title: | Selective Attrition in Longitudinal Studies: Effective Processes for Facebook Tracing |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Bennetts, Shannon K., Love, Jasmine, Hackworth, Naomi J., Mensah, Fiona K., Westrupp, Elizabeth M., Berthelsen, Donna, Levickis, Penny, Bennett, Clair, Nicholson, Jan M. |
| Source: | International Journal of Social Research Methodology. 2021 24(2):135-147. |
| Availability: | Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 13 |
| Publication Date: | 2021 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Adult Education |
| Descriptors: | Attrition (Research Studies), Longitudinal Studies, Social Media, Family (Sociological Unit), Randomized Controlled Trials, Child Rearing, Parent Education, Foreign Countries |
| Geographic Terms: | Australia |
| DOI: | 10.1080/13645579.2020.1765104 |
| ISSN: | 1364-5579 |
| Abstract: | Participant attrition is a significant challenge for longitudinal studies, particularly those involving disadvantaged populations. We attempted to re-engage n = 990 families in a five-year follow-up of a randomised controlled trial of an early childhood parenting intervention. Tracing was attempted for n = 90/990 (9.1%) uncontactable participants. Evidence for the identification of a matching Facebook profile was classified as strong, moderate or weak. A private message was sent to those with strong evidence (n = 63/90, 70.0%), of which 32 responded, 22 agreed to participate and 19 provided data. Compared to participants engaged using traditional methods, those re-engaged through Facebook were more likely at initial recruitment to have a younger child (p =0.02), to be a single parent (p =0.04), less educated (p <0.001), lower income (p =0.01) and in an unemployed household (p <0.001). Findings suggest that social media can be an effective engagement tool, helping to minimise overall and selective attrition in longitudinal studies, particularly for hard-to-reach populations. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2021 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1289842 |
| Database: | ERIC |
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| Abstract: | Participant attrition is a significant challenge for longitudinal studies, particularly those involving disadvantaged populations. We attempted to re-engage n = 990 families in a five-year follow-up of a randomised controlled trial of an early childhood parenting intervention. Tracing was attempted for n = 90/990 (9.1%) uncontactable participants. Evidence for the identification of a matching Facebook profile was classified as strong, moderate or weak. A private message was sent to those with strong evidence (n = 63/90, 70.0%), of which 32 responded, 22 agreed to participate and 19 provided data. Compared to participants engaged using traditional methods, those re-engaged through Facebook were more likely at initial recruitment to have a younger child (p =0.02), to be a single parent (p =0.04), less educated (p <0.001), lower income (p =0.01) and in an unemployed household (p <0.001). Findings suggest that social media can be an effective engagement tool, helping to minimise overall and selective attrition in longitudinal studies, particularly for hard-to-reach populations. |
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| ISSN: | 1364-5579 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/13645579.2020.1765104 |
