Characteristics of study ethics and safety
| Procedural ethics | Safety | |||||||
| Study ID | Informed consent collected remotely | Referral pathway | Data security | Measures to minimise loss to follow-up | Compensation | Safety-related eligibility criteria | Scheduling/ communication | Safety considerations for participant |
| Campbell et al30 | In person with advocate | NM | NM | NA | NM | NM | NM (phone) | NM |
| Foshee et al23 | Remote: mothers consented for themselves and their teen over phone, adolescents provided verbal assent | NM | NM | Compensation | Y, $15 visa gift card to adolescent participants | Women couldn't still be living with an abusive partner | NM (phone) | NM |
| McFarlane et al29 | In person with researcher | Provided by court, not research team | NM | Compensation | $20 for first (in person) interview, $30 for 3-month follow-up and $40 for 6-month follow-up | Able to provide safe phone number and mailing address | Calls scheduled at participants’ convenience | NM |
| Messing et al26 | Remote: telephonic consent obtained by researcher | Y | NM | NM | NM | Able to provide safe phone numbers | Police officers asked for safe times and phone numbers for participants to be contacted | NM |
| Taft et al27 | Mixed: written consent was obtained from male participants in person; female partner’s verbal consent obtained via telephone | Y | NM | Compensation | $50 for completing each assessment (men and their partners); no explanation how those incentives were distributed | NM | Female participants were asked if they were in a safe and private place to answer questions, if not, a call-back time was scheduled | NM |
| Van Parys et al28 | In person: verbal and written consent obtained by clinic staff | For intervention group only | Case numbers were randomly assigned to participants; ID key was created and stored by a researcher outside the study | One-time incentive (unspecified amount) | Gift voucher (unspecified amount) | Women must have been able to complete informed consent form without accompanying person present | NM | NM |
| Westwood et al31 | NM: consent obtained by staff safety workers | NM | Calls were anonymous | NA | NM | N | Participant chose the time and contact method for the interview | NM |
| Bragesjo et al34 | Remote: signed consent form through website | Y | Username and password were issued, dual factor identification was used | NM | NM | N | NM (non-phone) | NM |
| Ford-Gilboe et al7 | Remote: verbal consent over phone, consent form was also emailed and consent was confirmed on first log-in to the portal | Y | Participants assigned ID; password-protected portal | Automated and manual reminder messages were sent to encourage completion of baseline and all follow-up surveys | $20 at baseline, $30 after 3 months, $40 after 6 months, $50 after 12 months (all mailed or electronic gift cards) | Access to a safe computer, safe email and secure mailing address | NM (non-phone) | Quick exit button; information was provided about using private modes in internet browsers |
| Hatch et al25 | NM: consent obtained | NM | NM | NM | NM | N | NM | Participants reminded via texts of opt-out options |
| Senn and Forrest35 | Remote: consent obtained through emailed link | Y | Personal codes given on enrolment | Up to 4 reminders via call, text and/or emails | Bonus points in class for first two surveys; and gift card ($10 in first year, $20 in second year) OR additional bonus points for completion of 4-month survey | NM | NM | NM |
| Tarzia et al33 | Remote: consent obtained via website | Y | Platform and intervention were username and password protected | Women provided the name and number/email of 1–2 safe contacts when enrolling so new contact information could be obtained in case the participant relocated. 3 automatic reminder emails, 1 SMS reminder, 1 phone call reminder | Maximum of $A150 electronic gift vouchers for completing baseline, 6-month and 12-month follow-up data collection | Access to safe computer, internet connection, and willing to provide full name, address, email, and contact information for safe contacts | Participant contacted at a safe time; email communication with participant referenced ‘women’s health study’. Intervention home page did not mention domestic violence | Website designed with quick escape button, when used, a new browser opens to prevent clicking ‘back’; instructions to clear search history, private web browsing; using safe email address |
| Glass et al24 | Remote: consent could be given verbally over phone, or via email by checking an electronic checkbox | Y | Password protection and PIN code; study data were kept separate from personal identifiers | Automated and 3 manual reminder emails; phone/text reminders (5 attempts and 3 messages); participants contacted at 2, 4, 8, 10 months to confirm contact information and safety | Baseline: $20; 6 months: $30; 12 months: $50. Total of $100 for 3 hours of participant time | Access to a safe computer or internet and a safe email and phone number that was inaccessible to abuser | NM (non-phone) | Guidance on safe use of internet, private mode, browsing history; potential risks of creating a study email explained; limitations of deleting apps from purchase history; instructed to remove app after intervention |
| Sabri et al32 | NM: consent obtained | Y | Password, username and PIN | Automatic email/text reminders to women who did not complete sessions | Baseline: $20; 3 months: $25; 6 months: $30; 12 months: $40 | Access to safe technology, computer or smartphone, that has internet access | All communication refers to general women’s health; all study information, including links, password, username and PIN were sent to participants’ secure email | Explained how to access information via secured email; participants advised on password protection and clearing history; option to use 0000 password if abuser forces participant to open website—if used, screen shows innocuous page; only PIN code screen shown if anyone else logs into website |
NA, not applicable; NM, not mentioned in article.