Adapting to attrition challenges in multi-year studies: Examples from a school-based bullying and cyber bullying study. (October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mishna, Faye; McInroy, Lauren B.; Daciuk, Joanne; Lacombe-Duncan, Ashley
• Is Part Of: Children and youth services review. Volume 81(2017:Oct.)
• Page Start: 268
• Page End: 271
• Publication Date: 2017-10
• Subjects: Bullying -- Cyber bullying -- Multi-year studies -- Attrition -- School; Social work with children -- Periodicals; Social work with youth -- Periodicals; Adolescent -- Periodicals; Child Welfare -- Periodicals; Social Work -- Periodicals; Service social aux enfants -- Périodiques; Service social à la jeunesse -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 362.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2017.08.019
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0190-7409

Abstract

Abstract: Attrition is a significant study design and ethical challenge in multi-year research studies, and may have particular implications in research with young people due to the difficulties of conducting longitudinal research throughout key educational transitions (e.g., primary to middle to high school) and the significance of maturation on children's and adolescents' outcomes. The purpose of this research note is to review the challenges and strategies used in a school-based study of bullying and cyber bullying (n = 916) to minimize the attrition of primary (4th grade), middle (7th grade), and high school (10th grade) students and their parents over the three-year study duration. A key process was proactively anticipating challenges on an ongoing basis and leveraging strong institutional relationships (e.g., school board, research ethics board) to adapt accordingly. In particular, midway through the study (1) passive consent and (2) mail-based surveys were incorporated, to retain as many participants as possible. Ethical and responsive adaptations to the challenges of retaining participants over an extended period are discussed and suggestions are provided for future research in school settings. Highlights: Attrition is a significant study design and ethical challenge in multi-year research studies. This note reviews the challenges and strategies of a school-based study to minimize the attrition of students and parents. Key processes are proactively anticipating challenges and leveraging strong institutional relationships. Passive consent and mail-based surveys were incorporated to promote participant retention.