National CTSA Consortium
Visit CTSACentral.org for information about the national CTSA program.
The National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences funds the CTSA program.
Using ResearchMatch to Support Research Recruitment
This web page provides information about ResearchMatch.
What is ResearchMatch?
ResearchMatch is a national recruitment registry that brings together researchers and people who are interested to learn more about research studies via a secure website.
Researchers at the University of Rochester and its affiliates use this tool for:
- Feasibility Assessment – Researchers use ResearchMatch to assess the availability of volunteers that matches the requirements for study eligibility. Results of a feasibility assessment are provided in aggregate, without individually identifying information.
- Recruiting – Researchers invite volunteers who agree to be contacted.
- Getting Started
- Recruiting Research Participants
- Technical Assistance with ResearchMatch
- Assistance with UR Recruitment Policies and Process
Getting Started
Creating an Account
Create an account, and follow the prompt to register.
Conducting Feasibility
Assessment
To conduct a feasibility assessment, a researcher
must create
an account with ResearchMatch.
Using the ResearchMatch search-building tools, the researcher enters search criteria to assess availability of the study population of interest within the ResearchMatch database. Criteria include (but are not limited to):
- Geographic factors (distance from institution and State);
- Age;
- Gender;
- Physical characteristics (height, weight, BMI);
- Race and Ethnicity;
- Health status (diagnosed diseases and conditions)*;
- Medication history; and
- Twin status
* Absence of diagnoses is also captured for healthy volunteers
Upon completing a feasibility search, researchers can view how many ResearchMatch volunteers meet study-specific criteria.
Recruiting Research Participants
ResearchMatch provides tools to assess how many individuals meet eligibility criteria, to view non-identifying descriptions of potential matches, to add an IRB-approved recruitment message to send to eligible individuals, and inviting permission to release identifying information for researcher initiation of enrollment procedures. Tools include mechanisms for tracking enrollment statistics.
Securing IRB
Approval
Every study requesting Recruitment Access must receive
IRB approval to use ResearchMatch. The IRB submission and approval process is
detailed in the University of Rochester instructions.
To request approval to use this tool, researchers will complete and submit to the IRB the “ResearchMatch Approval Form.” This form must include the recruitment message which will be sent to matched volunteers. Information identifying the study investigator(s) and how to contact recruitment coordinators must be omitted from this message, to retain communication pathways within ResearchMatch.
Uploading Study-Specific
Information
Once IRB approval is provided, researchers enter
study details and upload the IRB-approval document. Following verification of
IRB approval to use ResearchMatch for recruitment, the requesting researcher
will receive notice that access has been granted.
Identifying and Communicating with
Potential Volunteers
Researchers search the ResearchMatch
database to assess how many individuals meet eligibility criteria, to view
non-identifying descriptions of potential matches, and to add the IRB-approved
recruitment message to send to eligible individuals.
ResearchMatch sends the study recruitment message to matched volunteers to inform them about a new opportunity to participate. Once individuals respond with permission to be contacted for that study, personal contact information is made available to the researcher within the secure ResearchMatch system.
Technical Assistance with ResearchMatch
Request support with the functions of ResearchMatch, to email the ResearchMatch Program Manager. Report technical difficulties with the ResearchMatch.org website.
Assistance with University of Rochester Recruitment Policies and Process
The UR CTSI offers assistance in recruitment and retention of research participants. Visit our recruitment and retention resource for more information.
NIH Funding Acknowledgement ** Important ** All publications resulting from the utilization of CTSI resources are required to credit the CTSI grant by including the NIH FUNDING ACKNOWLEDGEMENT and must comply with the NIH Public Access Policy.
