Table 2.
Overall Key TAAG Recruitment Strategies
| Strategy | 8A | 8B | Rating* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recruitment procedure/strategy | |||
| TAAG recruitment staff | Varied by site: 1-9 staff members | Varied by site: 1-9 staff members | 3 |
| Recruitment staff training | Informal meetings: AZ, CA, MD, SC | Informal staff meetings: AZ, MD | 2 |
| Informal meeting with train the trainer model: MN | Informal meeting with train the trainer model: MN | 2 | |
| Formal staff training: None | Formal staff training: CA, SC | 2 | |
| Recruitment at school registration and open houses |
Yes: MD, MN (all schools), SC | Yes (# of schools/site): AZ (5), CA (1), MN (4) | 1 |
| Solicit input and feedback from school principals and liaisons |
Yes: AZ, SC | Yes: AZ, SC | AZ 2; SC 1 |
| Identify school liaison to assist staff | Yes: AZ (popular staff member), CA (volunteer), MD and SC (designated by principal) |
Yes: AZ (popular staff member), CA (volunteer), MD and SC (designated by principal) |
2 |
| Live in-school presentation to potential participants |
All sites | All sites | 3 |
| Presentation group size | Small groups (10-20 girls): LA, MD | Small groups (10-20 girls): LA, MD | 3 |
| Class size (20-40 girls): AZ (5 schools), CA | Class size (20-40 girls): AZ (5 schools) | 3 | |
| Entire eighth-grade class: CA, AZ (1 school) | Entire eighth-grade class: CA, AZ (1 school) | 2 | |
| Props used during presentation | Consent form packet, measurement devices, incentive display, posters/banner; site-specific additions—recruitment skit: LA |
Additions to 8A recruitment efforts—recruitment visit incentive: MD; trivia game with prizes to winning team: CA; balloons: SC; school-approved “cool” music: CA, SC |
3 |
| Recruitment—prize drawing | SC: 1 $100 gift card per school | AZ: 1 gift ($100) per school; SC: 3 gifts (valued from $100-$120) per school |
AZ 2; SC 1 |
| 80% recruitment goal party | AZ: BBQ at 1 school; “No-Uniform” Day at another; SC: ice-cream sundae party at 2 schools |
Dropped at 8B | AZ 2; SC 1 |
| General measurement incentive† | $25-$50 range; AZ, LA = $25; SC = $26; CA = $30; MN = $40; MD = $50. Given before actigraph compliance verified |
$25-$40 range; LA, SC = $25; AZ, CA, MN = $40; MD = $50. Given after actigraph compliance verified |
3 |
| Fitness measure incentive† | $5-$20 range; CA, LA, MD = $5; SC = $10; AZ = $15; MN = $20 |
Not conducted in 8B | 3 |
| Consent form return/follow-up | |||
| Girls complete and return assent forms at presentation |
SC: 3 or 4 schools only | SC: all schools | 3 |
| Consent form return timeline | Varied by site: 1 day to 1 week | 1 day to 1 week; more stringent timeline | 3 |
| Consent return incentive | Girl: $0-$5 range; CA, MD = $0; MN = $1; AZ, SC = $3; LA = $5 |
Girl: $0-$5 range; AZ, MD = $0, MN = $1; SC = $3; CA, LA = $5 |
3 |
| Parent: N/A | Parent: SC only = $10 | 3 | |
| Face-to-face participant follow-up by TAAG staff |
Periodically; location varied by site/school (lunchroom, homeroom, PE classes) |
Periodically; location varied by site/school (lunchroom, homeroom, PE classes) |
2 |
| Follow-up by school liaison | AZ, CA, SC: periodically—helpful in collecting straggler forms |
AZ, CA, SC: periodically—helpful in collecting straggler forms |
2 |
| Automated phone message reminders to parents |
SC (4 schools only toward the end of recruitment) | SC (5 schools only right before or day of recruitment presentation) |
2 |
| School PA system announcements | AZ, LA, MD, MN, SC | Utilized more frequently than in 8A: AZ, MD, MN, SC; CA: daily for the week postpresentation |
2 |
| Primary method of consent form return | In-person returns to TAAG staff or school liaison: AZ, CA, LA, MD, SC |
In-person returns to TAAG staff or school liaison: AZ, CA, LA, MD, SC |
2 |
| Returns via US mail: MN | Returns via US mail: MN | 2 | |
| Consent form follow-up distribution | Mailed: AZ, CA, MN, SC | Mailed: AZ, CA, MN | 2 |
| Hand-delivered: LA, CA | Hand-delivered: LA, SC | 2 | |
| Personal phone calls to parents | AZ: Done by school liaisons at 3 schools; others sites: as needed to track down straggler forms or get missing information |
AZ: Done by school liaisons at 3 schools; others sites: get as needed to track down straggler forms or get missing information |
2 |
*
Rating key: 1 = not effective; 2 = moderately effective; 3 = very effective (indicates the effectiveness of this technique in recruiting eighth-grade girls, and reflects the site rating of the 8B strategy compared to the 8A strategy). This rating was provided by site representatives who were heavily involved in the recruitment process. Displayed rating is based on mode of ratings provided by sites that utilized the measure.
†
The general measurement incentive was given after successful completion of 2 surveys, physical activity monitor component, and height, weight, and skin fold measures, The fitness measure involved a bike test (only administered to a subsample of girls in 8A).