Why People Say Yes (or No): The Psychology of Trial Participation

Colleagues are welcome to join this online workshop applies behavioural science to the real-world decisions people make about taking part in research. You’ll be introduced to fast, automatic thinking (System 1) and slow, deliberate thinking (System 2) and use them to map key decision points across the recruitment journey. You’ll identify what can drive early awareness and interest in research, and what supports a confident, well-informed decision at consent, so the recruitment pathway can be designed to be both effective and ethically robust.

The workshop includes short reflective exercises to increase awareness of how unconscious bias, assumptions, and “snap judgements” can influence the behaviour of research staff. You will leave with practical actions to help move unconscious bias into conscious awareness to help support informed, inclusive research design.

By the end of the workshop, you will be able to:

• Identify common cognitive biases and where they can show up in recruitment and consent pathways.
• Recognise how cultural and social influences can affect decision-making.
• Explore your own decision-making defaults and use simple techniques to bring fast judgments into awareness.
• Apply behavioural science to design clearer, more motivating participant communications (e.g., recruitment adverts).Read more and register