ERIC Number: EJ1343366
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2022-Aug
Pages: 43
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0049-1241
EISSN: N/A
Method to the Madness: Tracking and Interviewing Respondents in a Longitudinal Study of Prisoner Reentry
Fahmy, Chantal; Clark, Kendra J.; Mitchell, Meghan M.; Decker, Scott H.; Pyrooz, David C.
Sociological Methods & Research, v51 n3 p1282-1324 Aug 2022
After nearly four decades of growth, the number of people held in U.S. prisons has begun to decline. In an era of decarceration, social scientists need to understand prisoner reentry experiences. Longitudinal studies are one strategy to accomplish this goal. Yet, the retention of a formerly incarcerated population across waves of interviews is challenging due to their transient lifestyles and limited support systems, which may be further complicated by gang involvement. This article details the longitudinal follow-up procedures used in the LoneStar Project--a multiwave study of 802 males first interviewed in prison and reinterviewed twice in the year postrelease--to build rapport, complete interviews, and minimize attrition. We then evaluate the effectiveness of our procedures on important outcomes including interview yields, appointments, and incoming calls. Results indicate that any outgoing contact with respondents via appointment reminders and other reciprocal modes of contact lead to greater project engagement and a greater likelihood of interview completion. We conclude with relevant takeaways for researchers seeking to maximize survey participation with hard-to-reach populations.
Descriptors: Longitudinal Studies, Correctional Institutions, Institutionalized Persons, Males, Law Enforcement, Program Effectiveness, Surveys, Interviews, Juvenile Gangs, Group Membership, Attrition (Research Studies), Crime, Telecommunications, Meetings, Social Media
SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2814
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: US Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Texas
Grant or Contract Numbers: 2014MUCX0111