Telephone Screening Scripts

Whether a protocol involves contact potential subjects via telephone about the study, a script is generally required to ensure consistency and completeness in the information that potential subjects are given about the study. This script is intended for situations in which the study team calls the potential participant, but can be adapted to situations in which the potential participant makes the call, e.g. in response to a flyer.

Basic Introductory Telephone Script

Basic telephone scripts to introduce a study should include the following:

  • An introduction that gives the name and affiliation of the person calling, e.g. John Smith from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
  • The reason for the call: to invite the person to take part in a research study being conducted by [PI’s name]. The study team member should state why s/he is calling that particular individual about the study, e.g. “You’re being invited to participate because…”.
  • A brief description of the purpose of the study and what the potential participant would need to do if s/he decides to participate. This must also include a statement that participation is voluntary.
  • An opportunity for the potential participant to ask questions. Simply asking “Do you have any questions about the study?” is sufficient.
  • After all questions have been answered, the study team member may ask if the potential participant is interested in proceeding to the next step in recruitment for the study (e.g. scheduling a visit to learn more and go through the consent process, or answering some screening questions).
  • A closing section: For those not interested in the study, the closing should include a thank you for the person’s time. For those who say they are interested, the closing section should include instructions for the next step, e.g. setting an appointment, returning a signed consent form, etc.
  • Language that will be used if the potential participant does not answer the telephone and a) the research team plans to leave a message on an answering machine or voice mail; or b) someone other than the potential subject answers the telephone. An example message could be “Hello, my name is X and I am a(n) _______________ (i.e. sociologist) from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County calling to talk to X about a research study.“

Choose the below to submit with your IRB protocol application:

Telephone screening script

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