New publication by team that includes UWSC researchers describes how they adapted to the challenges of COVID-19 to recruit hard-to-reach population

The COVID-19 pandemic introduced challenges for conducting research, particularly for studies that use community-based sample generation strategies to recruit hard-to-reach populations. In a recently published “In-Brief Note” in the AAPOR online journal Survey Practice, UWSC staff members Graduate Assistant Jacob Boelter and Senior Project Director Ken Croes teamed up with University of Wisconsin–Madison Institute for Research on Poverty Research Scientist Lisa Klein Vogel and University of Wisconsin–Madison Sociology Doctoral Candidate Alexis M. Dennis to describe how they adapted their studies’ recruitment strategies to accommodate the manifold effects of social distancing of COVID-19.

WisconSays

WisconSays is an online panel of adults from all over the state of Wisconsin who were scientifically selected to answer questions about their attitudes, experiences, and thoughts about important issues facing Wisconsin and the United States. In appreciation of their time and effort, WisconSays members receive points for completing surveys. These points are redeemed for electronic gift cards or cash. By participating in surveys, WisconSays members help researchers and others gain a better understanding of lives of Wisconsinites, including what they think about and what they care about.

Wisconsin Food Pantries

This study seeks to learn about the way food pantries in Wisconsin operate, their ability to meet the needs of pantry visitors, and their experiences with and impressions of The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP).

MIDUS: Midlife in the U.S. National Study of Health and Well-Being

The next round data collection for Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) is underway! The University of Wisconsin Survey Center (UWSC) is contacting participants about completing an interview by phone, through 2024. With the help of our participants, MIDUS is teaching us a great deal about the factors that influence health and well-being as people age from early adulthood to later life.

Longitudinal Study of Generations (LSOG)

The Longitudinal Study of Generations is contacting previous participants and inviting the fifth generation of participating families into the study. For over 50 years the Longitudinal Study of Generations has been exploring how families transmit culture, values, and beliefs across multiple generations. Researchers are interested in how interfamily relationships affect values, beliefs, health, and well-being over time. The University of Wisconsin Survey Center is honored to administer this important study.

Wisconsin Early Care Caregiver Study

The Wisconsin Department of Children and Families is working with researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison to gather information about Wisconsin families’ experiences with early childhood programs such as home visitation programs, child care, and early education programs.  The information collected from this multi-mode survey of families with young children will to help understand how early childhood programs can be improved to better serve families across Wisconsin.