Broadening Recruitment Paradigms to Increase Occupational Safety and Health Research Engagement

Engaging target populations and obtaining reliable research data has become increasingly difficult. Traditional randomized control trial (RCT) approaches, though useful in establishing sound knowledge and identifying effective interventions, can also be counterproductive. This brief provides examples from past research initiatives in which RCT approaches were ineffective and supplemented with alternate recruitment and engagement strategies. In its conclusion, we propose methods for broadening our research approaches to better serve the populations we work with: farmers, commercial fishermen, and loggers. Further, we invite others to join this conversation.