Workflow for Contacting Families on Social Media
Identify a potentially eligible child/group on Instagram, Tik Tok, Facebook, or Reddit
Check VI social media page for tips on how to do this, and eligibility criteria
If you don't know how to log in to a Bergelson Lab social media page, ask a LM!
First Message
ON THE SOCIAL MEDIA WEBSITE
Send the following message
"Hi! My name is [STUDY CONTACT], and I am a [LAB ROLE] in the Bergelson Lab at Harvard University. We study how infants learn words from the world around them. I’m reaching out because we’re looking for families with 6-30 month-old blind, Deaf, and DeafBlind infants for a research study which families can complete entirely from home. The study involves online surveys about the child’s vision history and language development, and there’s also an option to complete an audio recording of the child’s language environment. Families receive a $20 Visa or Amazon gift card for the surveys and an additional $35 for the language environment recording. Please let me know if you’re interested in more information about this research opportunity or if you might be willing or able to share our flyer or text about our study on your social media page!"
ON THE VI TRACKING SHEET
In the Username column: Record the username of the family you contacted
In the Platform column: Record the social media page you used to contact the family (IG, FB, TT, RD)
In the Contacted_By column: Put your initials
It is VERY IMPORTANT that we keep track of who is contacting who on what, as some platforms, such as FB or Reddit, only the lab member who originally contacted the family can follow up, as this must be done through a private account.
In the 1st_contact column: Record the date you sent the initial recruitment message
Second Message
If a parent does not respond within 7 days of the initial recruitment message, the cell under column 2nd_contact will turn red. This means the family is due for another interaction.
ON THE SOCIAL MEDIA SITE
Send the following message:
"Hello! Just following up to see if you'd like to participate in our language development research! I'm happy to answer any questions :)"
ON THE VI TRACKING SHEET
In the 2nd_contact column: Record the date you sent the follow-up message
If a parent still does not respond after five days of the follow up, the row on the tracking sheet will turn grey automatically, and the interaction is discontinued.
Parent Reply
When a parent replies & is interested, we want to transition the conversation to email as quickly as possible. Follow the steps below based on the parent's reply:
Not Interested
IN THE SOCIAL MEDIA SITE
Send the following message:
"Hello! No problem, we completely understand!"
ON THE VI TRACKING SHEET
Under the Parent_Reply column: Enter "NI"
Interested
IN THE SOCIAL MEDIA SITE
Send the following message:
"Hello! thank you so much for you interest in this study! Is there an email it is easiest to reach you by so I can send you more information? I'm also happy to answer any questions you may have!
Best,
[YOURNAME]"
ON THE VI TRACKING SHEET
In the Parent_Reply column: Record the date respond to the parent + insert a comment on that cell saying "email requested"
ON THE VI TRACKING SHEET
Insert a comment in the Parent_Reply column: "email requested"
Once you obtain an email address:
IN THE BLABSHARE
Navigate to the ELASI_contacts spreadsheet found here: [INSERT PATHWAY]
Fill in the information you have (child name, parent name, email)
IN THE BERGELSON LAB OUTLOOK
Send Eligibility Questions. When a parent responds with an email address, send them the ELASI eligibility questions. Send the following message:
"Hello [PARENTNAME]! This is [YOURNAME] from the Bergelson Lab at Harvard University. Thank you so much for your interest in our study!
Before moving forward, we kindly ask you to answer the following questions to determine CHILDNAME’s eligibility:
What is your child's birthday? Was your child born more than three weeks before their due date? Does your child have severe to profound vision loss? Does your child have a diagnosis? When did your child acquire vision loss? Does your child have any history of hearing loss or ear infections? Does your child have any additional disabilities? Does your child hear any languages other than English on a regular basis? If so, what language and how many hours a week would you estimate?"
Be sure to tag any emails you send with the ELASI tag!
ON THE VI TRACKING SHEET
In the ID column, put the ID# corresponding with the ID# on the ELASI_contacts sheet in the Blabshare
Insert a comment in the Parent_Reply column: "sent eligibility questions"
Parent Reply to eligibility questions
IN THE BERGELSON LAB OUTLOOK OR SOCIAL MEDIA SITE (WHEREVER YOU LAST HAD CONTACT)
send one of the following messages based on the parent's response to the eligibility questions:
Interested Ineligible
"Hello [Parent Name],
Thank you for your response! It looks like [CHILD] won't be eligible to participate in this particular study, but we are always recruiting for new studies. Can we contact you back if there's a study your child might be eligible for? Thanks for your time!
Best,
[YOURNAME]"
ON THE VI TRACKING SHEET
Under the Parent_Reply column: Enter "II" (two capitalized I's)
Interested + Eligible
"Great! This study would involve completing a set of questionnaires about your child's development. You would receive $20 for filling out the surveys. There is also an option for your child to wear an audio recorder for one day to help researchers understand what language babies hear. You would receive $55 for the daylong recording and the survey. Would you be interested in participating in either part of the study?"
ON THE VI TRACKING SHEET
Under the Parent_Reply column: record the date that you responded to the parent's message
Doing this should make the next cell under Appt_Type turn red.
When a parent responds:
Under the Appt_Type column, select the type of appointment from the dropdown menu
FOR NEXT STEPS REFER TO SCHEDULING
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