Information for Investigators
What is STAR? | How to Request Participants
What is the STAR Registry?
Iowa ranks fourth nationally in percentage of residents age 65 and older, and second in percentage of those age 85 and older. Yet researchers often have difficulty recruiting people from these higher age groups.
To address this problem, the University of Iowa Center on Aging has developed a registry of research volunteers, the Seniors Together in Aging Research (STAR) Registry, to help connect individuals who are interested in participating in research studies with UI investigators who seek research volunteers. Over 400 individuals age 50 and older who are healthy, as well as those with medical conditions, are enrolled in the STAR Registry.
The STAR Registry is available to all UI investigators who require older research volunteers for their IRB approved studies. Interested investigators are encouraged to contact the STAR Registry to discuss their research projects and potential needs. The STAR Registry will work closely with both volunteers and investigators to match interests with suitable research projects.
The STAR Registry offers:
• Enthusiastic and interested volunteers
• Searchable database including medical and other searchable fields
• Recruitment assistance
• Resource information on subject recruitment for use in grant applications
For more information about the STAR Registry, how to utilize the registry, the cost and the data available for searching, please contact:
Linsey Abbott
STAR Registry
Phone: 319-384-4221
Toll Free: 866-393-4603
Email: linsey-abbott@uiowa.edu
Website: www.centeronaging.uiowa.edu/star
How to Request Research Study Participants
Thank you for your interest in working with the Seniors Together in Aging Research (STAR) Registry at the University of Iowa Center on Aging (COA). The STAR Registry maintains a volunteer subject registry of well-characterized older adults age 50 and over with a demonstrated interest in participating in research studies on aging. Self-reported medical information obtained from all members is maintained in a database, with the members’ permission, allowing us to query for potential subjects based on the specific research study criteria.
COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH FACILITATED RECRUITMENT
The STAR Registry is prepared to assist in recruitment of subjects for your research study by mailing study materials to potentially eligible members of the STAR Registry in targeted populations in Iowa. The cost will be determined by the scope of the project and agreed to prior to the recruitment effort.
Request for Study Participants:
- Complete the brief Subject Request Form, providing basic information about the study and include a copy of the IRB approval letter and stamped Consent Form.
- Review the STAR Registry Health Questionnaire in order to list all fields to be used for inclusion or exclusion criteria (including gender, age, medical conditions etc.).
After we receive the information mentioned above, we will review your application for use of the STAR Registry. Studies related to aging will receive the highest priority. Once your study is accepted, the number of potentially eligible subjects can be identified. You may specify the number of desired mailings at that time. We mail a study flyer, of your design and that you supply, to the designated number of potentially eligible members, along with our cover letter, which our members anticipate. This flyer should be extremely simple and eye catching, and refer interested volunteers to a specified contact for more information.