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Twins as Willing Research Participants: Successes From Studies Nested Within the California Twin Program

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 February 2012

Myles G. Cockburn*
Affiliation:
Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America. [email protected]
Ann S. Hamilton
Affiliation:
Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America.
John Zadnick
Affiliation:
Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America.
Wendy Cozen
Affiliation:
Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America.
Thomas M. Mack
Affiliation:
Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America.
*
*Address for correspondence: Myles Cockburn, 1441 Eastlake Ave MC 9175, Los Angeles, CA 90089-9175, USA.

Abstract

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The California Twin Program (CTP) is a population-based sample of over 52,000 twins in which a number of nested studies are ongoing. We outline our experience to date, providing estimates of crude response rates for a variety of different study designs and protocols. We have experienced very high response rates in our studies to date, even in studies with demanding protocols. Lowest response rates have occurred in studies among afflicted individuals, and in one with an unusual protocol. We have experienced some difficulty in locating original members of the cohort, despite efforts to trace individuals using a variety of sources of information. However, in most analyses, the participating sample of twins does not differ substantially from the underlying sample from the CTP. Future work will focus on improving methods of recontacting cohort members.

Type
Articles/United States of America
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2006