Researchers at the University of Southampton have launched new guidelines to make research recruitment more inclusive. The guidelines will help others develop recruitment materials, consent processes and participant-facing materials that are accessible, clear and respectful.
Addressing a gap in research inclusion
Despite increasing focus on inclusion in health research, many research studies continue to rely on recruitment materials which are overly complex, inaccessible or unintentionally exclusionary. This can result in the under-representation of key populations and limit the generalisability of findings.
The new guidelines highlight how features such as dense text, jargon-heavy language and inflexible formats can create significant barriers.
By improving accessibility at the point of recruitment, researchers can broaden participation, enhance equity and ultimately strengthen the quality and relevance of research outcomes.
Lived experience at the heart of the guidance
Working with autistic adults both online and through community groups run by the Southern branch of the National Autistic Society, the team held ten “listening cafés” to explore people’s real-world experiences of recruitment processes, including those with no prior research involvement.
Contributors highlighted common barriers such as feeling overwhelmed, uncertain, or excluded, as well as factors that made them feel welcomed and confident to take part.
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Kate Henaghan-Sykes, Public Partnerships Manager at the Primary Care Research Centre, University of Southampton said:
“I’m thrilled this co-developed guidance is now available to encourage diverse communities to feel confident about taking part in research. We provided a safe space to hear about how research invitations can feel - what feels welcoming, what can be overwhelming. Whilst developed with autistic adults, the guidance offers inclusive approaches that can benefit everyone, across a wide range of settings.”
From principles to practice
The guidance is structured to support researchers across the full participant journey, including:
Key recommendations include using short, jargon-free sentences, breaking up text with bullet points, offering materials in multiple formats (such as audio, easy-read, or video), and supporting assistive technologies to ensure independent access.
Building trust, autonomy and research quality
Beyond accessibility, the guidelines emphasise the importance of trust, transparency and autonomy. Clear explanations of study purpose, expectations, data use and consent processes were identified as critical in enabling individuals to make informed decisions about participation.
The guidance also encourages researchers to adopt flexible approaches—such as offering different ways to provide consent or engage with study activities—to accommodate diverse needs and preferences.
Implications for the research community
The authors argue that inclusive recruitment is not simply an ethical imperative but a methodological one. By reducing barriers to participation, research can capture a wider range of perspectives and produce findings that are more representative and applicable to real-world populations.
The guidelines are intended for use across health and social care research, with relevance to clinical studies, public health research, and service evaluation.
Availability
The full guideline and supporting materials are available via the University of Southampton repository
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