ARS | Publication request: SCIENTIFIC SAMPLING IN SMALL RURAL COMMUNITY PARTICIPATORY RESEARCH

Submitted to: International Society for Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: April 20, 2005
Publication Date: June 16, 2005
Citation: Simpson, P., Jo, C., Gossett, J., Santell, R., McCabe Sellers, B.J., Bogle, M.L. 2005. Scientific sampling in small rural community participatory research [abstract]. Proceedings of International Society for Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. p. 162.

Technical Abstract: Purpose: To adapt and modify scientific sampling appropriately in a community participatory set ting. Background: Surveys may be used in community participatory research to assess the state of a community prior to intervention, readiness to participate in an intervention, and post intervention to assess change. Choosing a sample is governed by feasibility and purpose. Feasibility in turn is affected by the available sample, the personnel, time and cost constraints and how collection of the sample might affect interventions. In small rural communities it may not be possible to collect a random sample which is representative of the whole community and acceptable to the community. Random digit dialing telephone surveys may no longer provide an unbiased random sample, particularly in rural areas with large populations of non-telephone households and cell phone users. Exclusion of volunteers may impact recruitment. Methods/key points: Possible adjustments to traditional sampling methodologies are discussed, including a mixed sampling strategy of random sampling and convenience sampling of interested community participants. The pros and cons of sampling schemes are given covering both recruitment, involvement, cost, time and analysis. Communities in the Lower Mississippi Delta are used to illustrate the constraints that exist in participatory research. Conclusions: Throughout design of a study the interrelation of objectives, methods and analysis need to be considered. In community participatory research these interactions become more complex due to the multi interventional components and the changes in the community over time. We will show that modifications to sampling techniques should be sampled.