Abstract
Research indicates that both doorstep canvassing and postal appeals can be effective in encouraging people to vote although less is known about whether mobilization methods increase engagement with public services. We compare the effect of two different methods of mobilization – doorstep canvassing and leaflets – on family attendance at early years ‘Sure Start’ centres with a sample of 3,444 families. Families were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: a visit from a Sure Start outreach worker providing information and encouragement; a leaflet about Sure Start; a control group that received the usual service. We found no significant difference in Sure Start attendance between the visit group and the control group. Therefore doorstep visits are not an effective way of encouraging families to attend Sure Start. Leaflets by contrast have a moderate effect of 1.8 percentage points.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | host publication |
| Publication status | Published - 27 Sept 2011 |
| Event | Randomised Controlled Trials in the Social Sciences Conference - York Duration: 27 Sept 2011 → 28 Sept 2011 |
Conference
| Conference | Randomised Controlled Trials in the Social Sciences Conference |
|---|---|
| City | York |
| Period | 27/09/11 → 28/09/11 |