Methods and strategies for recruiting participants to walking promotion programmes

Introduction: Recruitment of participants is an integral but challenging process in walking promotion programmes. A lack of information about what was done during recruitment is a limiting factor in knowing what works best and why certain approaches might be worth replicating. Aim: The aim of this thesis was to conduct formative research on the process of recruitment to walking programmes. The objectives included: systematically reviewing the literature, qualitatively investigating practice and the participants' perspective, evaluating a novel approach to recruitment and to produce a set of best practice guidelines for recruitment. Methods: A mixed methods design shaped the methodology in this thesis and included: a systematic review of the literature; qualitative research including focus groups and interviews; and a process evaluation of a novel approach to recruitment. Results: The systematic review showed our understanding of recruitment is limited by a lack of reported information including the lack of a fir for purpose definition. Qualitative research with practitioners showed that there is a demand for best practice guidelines, while participants reported most often being recruited by word of mouth and being attracted to walking groups with broad health appeals. Process evaluation of a strategic approach to recruitment demonstrated that, despite complex and challenging circumstances, disadvantaged men could be recruited to walking programmes. These findings have been combined and developed into guidelines for recruitment. What this study adds to the literature: These studies have shown that recruitment is an active and complex process, not one single method, and that effective recruitment is dependent on the capacity of the recruitment team. The proposed guidelines provide a basis for future learning about conducting, reporting and identifying effective recruitment processes.Introduction: Recruitment of participants is an integral but challenging process in walking promotion programmes. A lack of information about what was done during recruitment is a limiting factor in knowing what works best and why certain approaches might be worth replicating. Aim: The aim of this thesis was to conduct formative research on the process of recruitment to walking programmes. The objectives included: systematically reviewing the literature, qualitatively investigating practice and the participants' perspective, evaluating a novel approach to recruitment and to produce a set of best practice guidelines for recruitment. Methods: A mixed methods design shaped the methodology in this thesis and included: a systematic review of the literature; qualitative research including focus groups and interviews; and a process evaluation of a novel approach to recruitment. Results: The systematic review showed our understanding of recruitment is limited by a lack of reported information including the lack of a fir for purpose definition. Qualitative research with practitioners showed that there is a demand for best practice guidelines, while participants reported most often being recruited by word of mouth and being attracted to walking groups with broad health appeals. Process evaluation of a strategic approach to recruitment demonstrated that, despite complex and challenging circumstances, disadvantaged men could be recruited to walking programmes. These findings have been combined and developed into guidelines for recruitment. What this study adds to the literature: These studies have shown that recruitment is an active and complex process, not one single method, and that effective recruitment is dependent on the capacity of the recruitment team. The proposed guidelines provide a basis for future learning about conducting, reporting and identifying effective recruitment processes