We all know, as researchers, how important is the response rate, especially In a longitudinal study involving random sampling. However, how ethical is it for the researchers to "take no for an answer?" and continually bombard the refusals with multiple contacts, in multiple ways to get the refusals to finally say, "All right" just so they can be left alone (some even say as much.)
It isn't ethical at all. No means no as in any other circumstance. And if people are coerced into taking part in a study, their responses may be affected so it makes bad science too. Inducements can be acceptable as people give up their time and could be reasonably compensated. Randomness isn't affected if people self-exclude. One random person is as good as the next.
Thank you for your answer. A few years ago, I left a study (a job) because of the things I was required to do
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