Behind Closed Doors

Recruiting Female Escorts for Research Purposes

Datos Bibliográficos

ID3220430
AutoresPia Struyf (0000-0002-8987-4120), Sofie De Kimpe (0000-0002-3966-3341), Lucas Melgaço (0000-0001-7654-9874)
Año2025
Volumen24
Fecha de publicación2025-09-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaInternational Journal of Qualitative Methods (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1609-4069 • E-ISSN: 1609-4069
EditorialSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/16094069251381713
OpenAlexW7082642329
IdiomaEN
Referencias citadas59

We reflect on the different methods used to recruit cisgender female escorts for qualitative research into the social and professional context(s) they inhabit. Sex workers in general, and escorts in particular, are difficult to access as they occupy largely opaque spaces within the sex industry. This poses various challenges for researchers in the recruitment of participants. This article considers three core problems linked to the recruitment of socially excluded populations: (1) where and how to find participants; (2) how to motivate potential participants to participate; and (3) how to avoid selection bias. These can be potentially overcome by the thorough preparation of the recruitment strategy, which will be described for a qualitative research project on cis female escorts working in Belgium and the Netherlands. We start by describing the creation of online and offline recruitment materials and the role of social media as a platform to recruit participants. Further, we state that effective collaboration with gatekeepers is essential to successfully recruit within marginalized populations, as well as the ethical and practical considerations regarding financial compensation for the time and expertise of participants. This article concludes by reflecting on the added value for participants to participate in the research project, such as altruistic and therapeutic results

Compensation (psychology · Ethical issues · Financial compensation · Qualitative research · Selection (genetic algorithm · Social media · Value (mathematics · Eastern European Communism and Reforms · Education, Psychology, and Social Research · Geography and Environmental Studies in Latin America