Sampling methods: methodological issues involved in the recruitment of older people into a study of sexuality

Abstract

Sexual desire experienced by people over 65 years of age is a sensitive topic deserving serious and ethical research. The recruitment of participants into a potentially sensitive study poses particular difficulties including ethical challenges such as informed consent and confidentiality. This paper, drawing on a study of sexual desire in an older aged population group, outlines a range of purposive sampling methods that resulted in a high rate of recruitment, thus validating the methodology employed. The paper reports the outcomes of four recruitment strategies: word of mouth, advertising, community-based seminars and direct solicitation that were employed in a study on sexual desire and ageing. The paper aims to encourage researchers and health professionals to consider looking more closely at topics often considered to be socially forbidden and outside the ambit of nursing research. Some of the ethical issues involved in recruitment for the study will also be considered.