Participant recruitment

Defra user researchers make sure services work for all users by involving a diverse range of people in research and design.

The recruitment process, guidance and templates are listed below:

Recruitment process

1. Define the users and identify participants for research
2. Choose the recruitment channels and incentives (if needed)
3. Screen participants to check they represent your target users
4. Get informed consent before the session
5. Plan your research sessions with participants
6. Prepare observers for research sessions and note-taking
7. Consider accessibility throughout

Defra guidance and templates

• Identify your users
• Recruitment channels
• Incentives
• Screen participants
• Informed consent and privacy notices
• Planning research sessions with participants
• Research observation and note-taking

Standards

All participant recruitment must comply with Defra’s user research standards and guidance.