Research Study Participant Recruitment Ads

What a good one includes

• A clear, jargon-free study title and a one-sentence hook that immediately explains why the research matters to the participant.
• Explicit eligibility criteria written in simple language so readers can instantly self-screen for inclusion and exclusion parameters.
• A transparent breakdown of the time commitment, format, and what participants will actually be asked to do during the session.
• Clear statements regarding compensation, incentives, or lack thereof, formatted strictly in accordance with ethical guidelines to avoid undue inducement.
• Crucial institutional details, including the university name, department, primary investigator's contact info, and the ethical approval or IRB protocol number.
• A direct, frictionless call-to-action link or QR code landing page where interested individuals can sign up or take the screening survey.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Using dense academic jargon or theoretical language that alienates or confuses layperson participants.
• Emphasizing financial compensation too aggressively on flyers, which ethics boards will flag as coercive or unduly influential.
• Failing to include the official ethics board approval number or institutional branding, which reduces public trust and credibility.
• Forgetting to tailor the outreach tone across different channels, like sending a rigid academic letter via a casual social media platform.

Frequently asked questions