Using ResearchMatch to Support Research Recruitment
This web page provides information about ResearchMatch.
ResearchMatch Researcher Training. A free webinar is available for researchers (investigators and coordinators), the 2nd Thursday of every month from 3-4:30pm ET. Please choose which training to attend, and register here.
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:
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.
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.