Glossary / Lexicon

In the psychology context, attrition refers to the loss of participants in a research study or program over time. It occurs when participants drop out or otherwise fail to complete the study or program. Attrition can have significant effects on the validity and reliability of a study's results, as it can lead to biased samples, reduced statistical power, and difficulties in interpreting findings.

There are many reasons why attrition can occur in research studies or programs. Some common reasons include:

• Personal reasons: Participants may drop out due to personal reasons, such as illness, family issues, or a change in employment.
• Time constraints: Participants may find it difficult to continue participating in a study or program due to time constraints, such as competing demands from work, school, or other commitments.
• Lack of motivation or interest: Participants may lose interest in the study or program over time, or may not feel motivated to continue due to perceived lack of benefit or reward.
• Unforeseen circumstances: Participants may experience unforeseen circumstances that prevent them from continuing, such as moving away, experiencing a natural disaster, or becoming incarcerated.

It is important for researchers and program coordinators to take steps to minimize attrition and ensure that the study or program is completed by as many participants as possible. Some strategies that can be effective include:

• Clear communication: Participants should be provided with clear information about the study or program, including expectations, requirements, and potential benefits. This can help to build trust and engagement.
• Incentives: Offering incentives such as financial compensation, gift cards, or other rewards can help to motivate participants to complete the study or program.
• Flexibility: Offering flexible scheduling or alternative participation options (e.g. online surveys, phone interviews) can make it easier for participants to complete the study or program.
• Personalization: Tailoring the study or program to the individual needs and interests of participants can help to increase engagement and motivation.

There are some similar concepts to attrition in psychology research, including:

• Selection bias: This occurs when the participants who drop out of a study or program differ systematically from those who remain. Selection bias can lead to biased results and reduced generalizability.
• Nonresponse bias: This occurs when participants who do not respond to a survey or other research instrument differ systematically from those who do respond. Nonresponse bias can also lead to biased results and reduced generalizability.
• Dropout prevention: This involves strategies for minimizing attrition in programs and interventions, such as identifying at-risk participants early and providing additional support and resources to help them continue participating.

In conclusion, attrition is an important concept in psychology research and programs, as it can have significant effects on the validity and reliability of results. Researchers and program coordinators should take steps to minimize attrition and ensure that as many participants as possible complete the study or program. Similar concepts to attrition include selection bias, nonresponse bias, and dropout prevention.