Qualitative Study on Nicotine: Knowledge, Beliefs, and Perceptions

OMB No.: Exp. Date:

Recruitment Script for Adolescents

Parent Introduction:

Hello, this is _____________ from [FACILITY NAME], a local market research firm. May I please speak to Mr. Ms. _____________?

(Hello, Mr./Ms. _________________this is _____________ from [FACILITY NAME], a local market research firm. We are working with RTI International, a nonprofit research organization, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on a research study about tobacco products. I want to assure you that we are not from a tobacco company or a company that sells quit-smoking aids. I would like to talk to you about a study we plan to conduct for the Food and Drug Administration. We are recruiting for an upcoming group discussion in which participants will be asked to discuss their knowledge and beliefs related to nicotine and tobacco products. We believe it is particularly important to talk with teens about this issue. Can we speak to _______________ [teen’s name] to see if he/she is able to participate in the study? If he/she is able to participate, we will need you to sign a consent form prior to his/her participation in the study. If your child qualifies for the study, I will ask to speak to you again at the end of the call so that I can give you more information.

Adolescent Introduction:

Hello _____________________________, my name is __________________. I’m with [FACILITY NAME] and we’re working with RTI International, a nonprofit research organization and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on a research study about tobacco products, and we’re interested in talking to teens about cigarette smoking. We are planning to conduct interviews with teens for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

We are holding a group discussion on [DATE] with approximately 9 other teens like you. The discussion group starts at [TIME] and will last no longer than 90 minutes. In appreciation for your participation, you will be reimbursed for your time, effort, and travel expenses. Participation in the groups is completely voluntary and your responses will be kept confidential, the extent allowable by law. Would it be OK if I ask you a few questions now in order to see if you are eligible to be in one of the groups?

[YES] Continue.

[NO] THANK AND END CALL

Screening Questions

Q1. Before I start, how old are you?

If 16 or 17  Continue

If < 16  TERMINATE

If >18 administer Adult Screener

Q2. Have you participated in a focus group or interview within the past 6 months?

[YES] TERMINATE

[NO] Continue

Q3. Have you ever smoked a cigarette?

[YES] Continue for CURRENT

[NO] Continue for Susceptible– Skip to Q5

Q4. In the past 30 days, have you smoked a cigarette?

[YES] Continue for CURRENT – skip to Q8

[NO] Continue

Q5. Do you think you will smoke a cigarette soon? (Select one.)

1. Definitely Not

2. Probably Not

3. Probably Yes

4. Definitely Yes

Q6. If one of your best friends offered you a cigarette, would you smoke it? (Select one.)

1. Definitely Not

2. Probably Not

3. Probably Yes

4. Definitely Yes

Q7. Do you think you will smoke a cigarette at any time in the next year? (Select one.)

1. Definitely Not

2. Probably Not

3. Probably Yes

4. Definitely Yes

[IF Q5 = Q6 = Q7 = 2, 3, 4 (YOUTH SUSCEPTIBLE TO SMOKING = YES: ASSIGN TO “SUSCEPTIBLE GROUP”), GO TO Q8.

IF Q5 = 1; or Q6 = 1; or Q7 = 1, NOT ELIGIBLE. TERMINATE]

Demographic Questions

Q8. Are you male or female?

• Male [ASSIGN TO MALE GROUP]

• Female [ASSIGN TO FEMALE GROUP]

Q9. What grade are you in?

• 7^th grade

• 8^th grade

• 9^th grade

• 10^th grade

• 11^th grade

• 12^th grade

• No longer attending school

• Other _____________________

Q10. Are you Hispanic, Latino/a, or of Spanish origin? Choose all that apply.

• No, not of Hispanic, Latino/a, or Spanish origin

• Yes, Mexican, Mexican American, Chicano/a

• Yes, Puerto Rican

• Yes, Cuban

• Yes, Another Hispanic, Latino/a, or Spanish origin

Q11. What is your race? Choose all that apply.

• White

• Black or African American

• American Indian or Alaska Native

• Asian Indian

• Chinese

• Filipino

• Japanese

• Korean

• Vietnamese

• Other Asian

• Native Hawaiian

• Guamanian or Chamorro

• Samoan

• Other Pacific Islander

Q12. On a scale of 1-5, how comfortable are you understanding and speaking English? 1 is very uncomfortable, 3 is somewhat comfortable, and 5 is very comfortable. ______________

[TERMINATE if 3 or lower]

Q13. On a scale of 1-5, how comfortable are you talking in a group of people your age? 1 is very uncomfortable, 3 is somewhat comfortable, and 5 is very comfortable. _______________

[TERMINATE if 3 or lower]

From what you told me it looks like you are eligible to participate in the study. I would like to invite you to participate in a group discussion with about 9 other people your age. The discussion will last no more than90 minutes, will be audio-taped, and observed by the study group. As I said earlier, your participation and everything you say during the discussion will remain confidential to the extent allowable by law. You will receive $30 or participating. Additionally, we will serve you snacks and beverages before the group starts. Are you interested in participating in this study?

 

[YES] Continue

[NO] TERMINATE

Because you are under age 18, we will need a parent or guardian’s permission for you to be in the focus group. Will you be able to have a parent or a guardian sign a form giving you permission to attend?

[YES] Continue

[NO] TERMINATE

I’m glad that you will be able to join us! The focus group will take place on [Day], [Date], at [Time.] at [site location].

Will you be available to participate at this time?

[YES] Continue

[NO] TERMINATE

Because you are under 18, you will need to get written permission from a parent or guardian in order to participate in the focus group. You will need to bring the consent form I will send you with your parent or guardian’s signature when you come to the focus group. If you don’t have this consent form, you won’t be able to participate. I would also like to send you a confirmation letter and directions to the facility. In order to do so, please verify your mailing address and phone number where you can be reached. We are asking for your contact information only for the purpose of sending you a reminder letter and giving you a call to remind you of the discussion group. We will destroy all contact information at the conclusion of the groups.

We are only inviting a few people, so it is very important that you notify us as soon as possible if for some reason you are unable to attend. Please call [recruiter] at [telephone number] if this should happen. We look forward to seeing you on [date] at [time]. If you normally wear corrective lenses, contacts, or glasses to read please remember to have them with you during the focus group.

Parent Information for Adolescents Scheduled to Participate:

Now, I would like to give your parent/guardian this information that I just gave you about the study session. I will not share your responses to the questions I asked you.

Your child is eligible to participate in the study session and has been scheduled to participate on [DAY], [DATE] at [TIME]. Because your child is under 18, we must get written consent from you in order for him/her to participate. We will be sending you an informed consent form to review and sign if you consent to your child’s participation. If you will be accompanying your child to his/her session, please bring this completed for with you. If you are unable to accompany your child, he/she must bring the signed consent form with him/her in order to participate. Your child will be given $30 for her participation. If you accompany your child, you will receive $25.

OMB No.: Exp. Date:

**NOTE** THIS PAGE MUST BE STORED SEPARATELY FROM THE SCREENER AND FOCUS GROUP DATA. PLEASE DESTROY UPON COMPLETION OF FOCUS GROUP.

NAME: ____________________________________________________________

ADDRESS: ________________________________________________________

CITY: _________________________________________________

ZIP CODE: _________________________________________________

E-MAIL_______________________________________________________

What is the best time to reach you? What is the best telephone number to reach you at that time?

BEST TIME TO BE REACHED: ________________________________________

BEST PHONE NUMBER: ________________________________________

Is there another time and number we can try if we miss you?

ALTERNATE TIME:

ALTERNATE PHONE NUMBER:

Thank you. That’s all the questions I have today. Please have your child arrive at least 15 minutes before the starting time. If you have any questions or find that your child is unable to attend, please call [facility’s phone number] as soon as possible. Thank you again for your time. We look forward to seeing your child at [TIME] on [DATE].

Read if necessary:

If you have any questions about the study, you may contact Denise Dickinson of RTI at 1-800-334-8571, ext. 25594 (toll free). If you have concerns about how participants are being treated in the study, you may contact RTI’s Office of Research Protection toll-free at 1-866-214-2043.

6

Screener