Placing an Ad About Your Study

Advertising is an important first step in the recruitment of subjects. Where you place your ad is as important as what you say in a print advertisement.

Since print advertising is often the first information that potential research volunteers see in regards to your study, this information must present an accurate representation of the study.

Your study advertisement should contain some of the elements below:

(All of these are not required, but at a minimum**)

1. Contact information (the location of the research and the contact person);**
2. The condition under study and/ or the purpose of the research;
3. The criteria (in summary form) that can be used by an individual to determine his/her own eligibility for the study;
4. A brief list of participation benefits and risks;
5. The time or other commitments required of the subject (e.g. total time commitment or total number of visits); and
6. Compensation / reimbursement (and compensation cannot be listed as a benefit).

Below you will find several media kits (also known as press kits) for various print vendors in Massachusetts. Some vendors kits also provide information about their paper’s target audience and appeal to various specific population groups.  These media kits provide information about the cost, color, and size parameters that you can work with to advertise your study in their newspaper.  You will also find a spreadsheet with information about advertising in Boston and Greater Metro Boston newspapers, as well as links to individual online news websites.

You will find that the newspapers below reflect a broad spectrum of diverse population targets. These newspapers serve to inform many ethnically and racially diverse communities across Massachusetts about topics of interest to them.

For more information about ad placement as part of a recruitment strategy, contact the Recruitment Services Program at 617-638-8862.