When no might not quite mean no; the importance of informed and meaningful non-consent: results from a survey of individuals refusing participation in a health-related research project

摘要

BackgroundLow participation rates can lead to sampling bias, delays in completion and increased costs. Strategies to improve participation rates should address reasons for non-participation. However, most empirical research has focused on participants' motives rather than the reasons why non-participants refuse to take part. In this study we investigated the reasons why older people choose not to participate in a research project.