Recruitment and Sampling: Qualitative Research with Older People
edited by Caroline Holland

'This small book will be useful to undergraduates, postgraduates and research staff. ... By presenting honest accounts of some of the challenges that researchers encounter, this book makes an invaluable contribution to a neglected topic.'
Ageing and Society

Who exactly are we sampling? How are we recruiting? The methodologies and sample sizes described in this volume range from a micro-level study of relationships between a small group of friends, to a multi-method approach incorporating interviews with people identified from a larger survey. However, we can see the emergence of some common themes. These include: 'vulnerability' and ethics; the role of the gatekeeper; under- and over-researched groups; sensitive topics and the role of language; and older people as research partners. In considering these themes, participative research currently being undertaken by members of CABS, and some projects from the Growing Older Programme are also discussed.

No 5 The Representation of Older People in Ageing Research Series

A joint series from the Centre for Ageing and Biographical Studies at the Open University and the Centre for Policy on Ageing