In order to avoid sampling bias, we must ensure that a significant proportion of target households agree to participate in the study. To achieve this, we will use widely employed, standard social scientific methods, with incentives provided as individuals increase their level of participation. In addition to more traditional incentives, participants will earn points that can be applied to support community improvement projects.
The Human Project aims to examine the lives of 10,000 New Yorkers, from all five boroughs, for at least two decades. Households will be randomly selected using an address-based, multi-stage area probability sample design, which will oversample children younger than 12 and adults older than 60. Together, participants will comprise a statistically-representative sample of the city, so that what we learn benefits everyone.