Participants were recruited
Research methodology and reporting expression
Use this phrase to professionally describe how you gathered people for a formal study or project.
15秒了解
- Standard phrase for describing how study volunteers were found.
- Uses passive voice to sound objective and professional.
- Essential for academic writing and formal research reports.
意思
This phrase describes the formal process of finding and signing up people to take part in a study, survey, or project. It sounds professional and suggests that the selection was done in an organized, intentional way.
关键例句
3 / 6Writing a university thesis
Participants were recruited from the undergraduate psychology department.
Participants were recruited from the undergraduate psychology department.
Reporting on a clinical trial
A total of 200 participants were recruited over a six-month period.
A total of 200 participants were recruited over a six-month period.
Conducting market research at work
Participants were recruited through our existing customer database.
Participants were recruited through our existing customer database.
文化背景
This phrase is a staple of Western 'APA' and 'MLA' writing styles. It emphasizes the ethical 'informed consent' process that became standard in the mid-20th century. Using 'participants' instead of 'subjects' is a relatively modern shift toward recognizing the agency and humanity of the people being studied.
Stick to the Passive Voice
In academic writing, 'Participants were recruited' is much more common than 'I recruited participants.' It makes your work sound more objective.
The 'Subject' vs 'Participant' Debate
In the past, scientists said 'subjects.' Today, 'participants' is the standard because it implies the people are actively choosing to help, not just being acted upon.
15秒了解
- Standard phrase for describing how study volunteers were found.
- Uses passive voice to sound objective and professional.
- Essential for academic writing and formal research reports.
What It Means
This phrase describes the act of finding volunteers for a specific purpose. You aren't just 'asking' people to help out. You are following a plan to find the right group for your research. It implies a sense of order and scientific rigor. Think of it like building a team for a very specific mission.
How To Use It
We almost always use the passive voice with this expression. You say Participants were recruited rather than 'I recruited participants.' This keeps the focus on the research process rather than the person doing the work. You can add details about the method or location. For example, Participants were recruited via online forums or Participants were recruited from local schools. It is a very structured way to start your methodology section.
When To Use It
Use this in academic papers, professional reports, or clinical trial summaries. If you are conducting a survey at work and need to explain how you got the data, this is your go-to phrase. It makes your data collection sound credible and official. It is the gold standard for any situation where you need to be objective about your 'human sample.'
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this for casual social gatherings. If you tell your friends, Participants were recruited for my Friday night party, they will think you are treating them like lab rats. It is far too stiff for a text message to a buddy. Avoid it in any situation where 'invited' or 'asked' would feel more natural and warm.
Cultural Background
In English-speaking academic and scientific cultures, transparency is vital. Readers want to know exactly how a group was formed to ensure the results aren't biased. This phrase signals that you followed ethical guidelines and a clear strategy. It reflects a culture that values scientific objectivity and the 'blind' nature of research where the researcher stays in the background.
Common Variations
In medical contexts, you might hear Patients were enrolled. In older scientific papers, you might see Subjects were recruited, though 'participants' is now preferred because it sounds more respectful. If you are looking for specific help, you might say Volunteers were sought. If you are talking about statistics, you might use A sample was drawn.
使用说明
This is a high-register expression. It is almost exclusively found in written reports or formal presentations. Using it correctly signals that you understand the conventions of English academic and professional discourse.
Stick to the Passive Voice
In academic writing, 'Participants were recruited' is much more common than 'I recruited participants.' It makes your work sound more objective.
The 'Subject' vs 'Participant' Debate
In the past, scientists said 'subjects.' Today, 'participants' is the standard because it implies the people are actively choosing to help, not just being acted upon.
Don't use it for a date!
If you tell someone you 'recruited' them for a dinner date, it sounds like you're running a clinical trial on them. Use 'invited' instead!
例句
6Participants were recruited from the undergraduate psychology department.
Participants were recruited from the undergraduate psychology department.
This is the classic academic use of the phrase.
A total of 200 participants were recruited over a six-month period.
A total of 200 participants were recruited over a six-month period.
Focuses on the scale and timeline of the recruitment.
Participants were recruited through our existing customer database.
Participants were recruited through our existing customer database.
Shows the source of the people involved in the business study.
Good news! All 50 participants were recruited by noon today.
Good news! All 50 participants were recruited by noon today.
Even in a text, researchers use this jargon to stay precise.
Participants were recruited for the 'office coffee taste test' (mostly just the interns).
Participants were recruited for the 'office coffee taste test' (mostly just the interns).
Uses formal language for a trivial task to create a funny contrast.
Participants were recruited from local support groups for trauma survivors.
Participants were recruited from local support groups for trauma survivors.
The formal phrase provides a respectful distance for sensitive topics.
自我测试
Complete the sentence using the standard formal phrase for research reporting.
To ensure a diverse sample, ___ ___ ___ from three different geographic regions.
This is the standard passive construction used in formal methodology reporting.
Choose the most appropriate preposition to complete the phrase.
Participants were recruited ___ social media advertisements.
'Via' or 'through' are commonly used to describe the channel used for recruitment.
🎉 得分： /2
视觉学习工具
Formality Spectrum of Finding People
Talking to friends or family.
I asked some friends to help.
General business or group activities.
We signed up volunteers.
Scientific or professional research.
Participants were recruited.
Where You'll Hear 'Participants Were Recruited'
University Lab
Psychology students joining a study.
Hospital
Patients joining a new drug trial.
Market Research
Consumers testing a new app.
HR Department
Employees joining a focus group.
常见问题
10 个问题It means the researchers actively sought out and signed up people to take part in their project. It implies a formal selection process.
You can, but in formal papers, the passive Participants were recruited is much more common. It keeps the focus on the methodology.
Mostly, yes. However, participants is the technical term used in research, while volunteers is more general.
Avoid subjects unless you are writing for a very old-fashioned journal or referring to non-human animals in a study.
Use 'from' or 'via.' For example, Participants were recruited from the local community or via email invitations.
Yes, especially in User Experience (UX) research or market research when finding people to test products.
Not necessarily. It just describes the process of finding them. Whether they were paid is usually mentioned separately.
Yes, you can say New players were recruited, but it doesn't carry the same 'scientific' weight as it does in a research context.
There isn't a direct opposite, but you might say Participants withdrew if they left the study later.
Yes! You can say Recruited participants for a nationwide survey to show your organizational skills.
相关表达
Informed consent was obtained
The participants agreed to take part after being told the risks.
A representative sample
A group of participants that accurately reflects the larger population.
Enrolled in the study
The official act of adding a participant to the research records.
Eligibility criteria
The rules used to decide who can be recruited for the study.
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