Gaining Access to Underresearched Populations in Women's Health Research

Culture is an important variable in women's health research, and sample selection must include plans to recruit participants who represent the overall cultural makeup of the population. However, gaining access to underresearched groups is a major challenge and requires specific planning. Salient access techniques utilized by epidemiological researchers include (a) obtaining the support and endorsement of community leaders, (b) advertising the research in community publications, and (c) utilizing age, gender, and culturally matched research assistants. Although these elements were included in the planning of a study of the perimenopausal transition of Filipino American midlife women, the more powerful attractors for this particular cultural group were their pride in participating in a study that was associated with a major university and their intense community service orientation. Since each cultural group has unique issues and concerns, researchers must familiarize themselves with the values of their target group and emphasize these in recruitment approaches.