What would induce you to participate?

[bellini]

Hello Nursing students,

I am doing a master's thesis in nursing education. My study would entail students learning basic ECG interpretation, then being randomly assigned to one of two groups for practice, then writing a test. This would take about two hours of students' time. I know this is asking a lot, so I am offering an incentive to participate.

My question is, what would you consider the more attractive incentive: A five-dollar Starbucks gift certificate, or a chance in a draw for an iPad mini with cellular and Wi-fi capability?

Thank you!

[missmollie, ADN, BSN, RN]

The chance to win an ipad mini.

[MedicalPartisan]

I'd sacrifice the two hours for the chance of winning the mini (with retina display :)). Drop cellular.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

Do incentives influence the study?

[sweetdreame, BSN, RN]

Do incentives influence the study?

That's what I was thinking...

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

Starbucks, instead to the drawing for an iPad mini...I like instant gratification when it comes to studies.

[SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP]

I'd say the gift card, but I wouldn't limit it to Starbucks

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Maybe a $5 gift cards.com or AMEX gift card or chance to win a $50 Amex card. I think the educational experience would be enough but I'm a nerd. Id be happy with a free copy of the "flip & see ECG" book less chance of bias for an unrelated incentive. ( or a chance to receive the book)

[bellini]

The incentives would only influence the study by promoting or hindering recruitment of an adequate sample size-if the sample size were too small, the study might be "underpowered" to find a small effect size.

The incentive should not affect how the participants perform.

[applesxoranges, BSN, RN]

The five bucks.

[bellini]

It's not five dollars, it's a gift card that has a value of five dollars.

[datalore]

I've done two experiments as a student where I offered an incentive to boost recruitment. One was a gift card, one was a chance to win something. Personally, I had more participants when I offered the gift card, but you seem to know your stats well and you'll take my anecdote with a grain of salt...

In addition to an incentive, is there any chance prof(s) you know will let you make a 10-second pitch in their class(es)? When I couldn't offer incentive for my masters thesis, I recruited out of undergrad classes for the study and had a decent sample size by highlighting how cool it would be to receive their results. Again, grain of salt! Good luck!!