Participation in Population Studies

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Abstract
Any areas of epidemiologic practice are flourishing as population registries, and other large databases make it easier than ever to collect the information researchers seek on virtually all the individuals they have defined as eligible. Meanwhile, in studies that require participants to respond (by being interviewed or completing a questionnaire, or by providing biologic samples), epidemiologists face a real and growing threat from nonparticipation. We are not alone in our predicament, because survey researchers in general report that they must spend more effort to get even moderate response rates. It appears that the very high response rates of earlier decades are no longer within reach today. We must first understand the scope and nature of the problem, soberly evaluate our current practices, and then look for major changes that will take us forward.