You have been asked to design a randomized controlled trial…
Questions
Yоu hаve been аsked tо design а randоmized controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate a new client-education program aimed at increasing contributions to Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). The intervention features three delivery formats: (1) personalized planning sessions, (2) self-paced online modules, and (3) a mobile app that tracks HSA balances and offers behavioral nudges. Draft a research plan that addresses each of the following elements: · Sample selection and recruitment · How will you select and recruit clients for the study, and what strategies will you use to minimize sampling bias (e.g., inclusion/exclusion criteria, outreach channels, incentives)? · Randomization strategy · Describe your approach to randomly assigning participants to treatment and control groups. · Identify potential barriers to genuine randomization and explain how you will address these barriers to limit selection bias. · Control group design · What will the control group receive (if anything) and when? · Explain how the control condition strengthens internal validity and helps isolate the program’s impact on HSA contributions. · Theoretical framework and variables · State the underlying theory guiding your hypotheses. · Operationalize the key independent variable (exposure to the specific delivery format) and the primary dependent variable (change in HSA contribution rate or dollar amount). · Measurement timeline and data-collection procedures · Outline when data will be collected (e.g., pre-tests, follow ups). · Detail methods for ensuring data accuracy and completeness. · Ethical and compliance considerations · Identify potential risks. · Describe the safeguards you will implement and demonstrate familiarity with IRB requirements.