PhD Studentship in development and evaluation of a study within a trial to improve recruitment and retention

Recruitment and retention in randomised controlled trials (RCTs) present a huge challenge to researchers. Typically, 50% of RCTs fail to recruit on time and to target, which results in trials being under-powered or requiring an extension. Furthermore, poor recruitment often means participants are not representative of the community from which they are drawn. Once participants are recruited, retention is crucial to avoid select bias and loss of statistical power.

At the York Trials Unit’s Trial Forge Studies Within A Trial (SWATs) Centre, we have launched a programme of SWATs to test out interventions to improve recruitment and reduce retention. One of particular interest is the role of ‘nudge’ type interventions to improve recruitment and retention. In this PhD, the candidate will adopt the ‘MRC complex interventions framework’ to develop and evaluate a ‘nudge’ intervention aimed at improving recruitment and retention. This will adopt a multi-phased, mixed methods approach. The PhD will comprise of the following:

1. A systematic review to identify nudge interventions that could be applied to improve recruitment and retention;
2. Modification of the identified interventions, using qualitative methods, to make them applicable to a health context; and
3. Testing the interventions in at least two SWATs in ongoing RCTs at York or in a collaborating clinical trials unit.

Consequently, for this PhD the student will gain experience of: systematic reviews, qualitative research, and randomised controlled trials. The student will also benefit from being based in a lively and supportive research and learning environment.