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Playdates: A Win-Win-Win Strategy for Recruitment of Infant Participants

Rebecca J Brand1, Rachel T H Gans1, Megan M Himes1

  • 1Villanova University.

Infancy : the Official Journal of the International Society on Infant Studies
|July 18, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Recruiting infant participants for developmental science studies is challenging. A novel laboratory playdate strategy successfully doubled participant numbers and improved community engagement.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Child Development Research

Background:

  • High-quality developmental science relies on consistent and diverse participant recruitment.
  • Recruiting infants for research studies presents significant logistical challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To introduce and evaluate a novel recruitment technique for infant participants.
  • To assess the efficacy of laboratory-based, no-strings-attached playdates for participant recruitment.

Main Methods:

  • Implemented weekly laboratory playdates offering toys, refreshments, and student supervision for infants.
  • Tracked attendance rates for playdates and subsequent agreement to participate in research.
  • Monitored follow-up rates for research appointments after initial contact.

Main Results:

  • Consistently hosted 2-3 new parent-infant dyads per week through playdates.
  • Achieved an 88% agreement rate for future research contact among playdate attendees.
  • Secured an 81% return rate for research appointments from contacted parents.

Conclusions:

  • Laboratory playdates are an effective strategy for enhancing infant participant recruitment.
  • This method significantly increases participant numbers and strengthens community relationships.
  • The approach offers valuable training experiences for research students.

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