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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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refused to be contacted

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "refused to be contacted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone has declined or is unwilling to receive communication or outreach from others. Example: "Despite multiple attempts to reach out, she refused to be contacted regarding the project updates."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Among respondents, no patients refused to be contacted at 5 years.

However, only a small number of survivors refused to be contacted about the research (n = 18, 7.8%).

2,734 of these 9,197 individuals had died, 45 moved abroad or to an unknown location, and 427 refused to be contacted for any follow-up.

The KORA Follow-up study F3 was conducted in 2004/05, in which all S3 participants who had not died, moved abroad or to an unknown location or refused to be contacted were contacted again.

Of these, 2,734 individuals had died, 45 had moved away and 427 refused to be contacted for any follow-up, resulting in 5,991 eligible people with known addresses.

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Feedback policies must also contemplate cases where participants refuse to be contacted, and provide mechanisms to keep participant contact information and feedback preferences up to date.

However, not all CSHCN could be re-contacted (if the parents refused to be re-contacted after screening or if the survey material for phase I was returned after the data collection component of phase II was already completed).

If the next-of-kin was not the best proxy, or refused to be interviewed, contact was then made with another proxy.

When you do sign up for something, check the small print at the end of the form and refuse permission to be contacted by third parties.

An additional 398 individuals could not be contacted or refused to be interviewed.

Among these cases, 5965 could not be contacted and 650 refused to be interviewed.

Science

BMJ Open
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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When documenting research or survey participation, clearly state the number or percentage of individuals who "refused to be contacted" to accurately reflect response rates and potential biases.

Common error

Be precise when documenting refusals. Instead of broadly stating that participants were "unreachable", differentiate between those who could not be contacted and those who actively "refused to be contacted". This distinction is crucial for ethical considerations and data integrity.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

81%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "refused to be contacted" functions as a passive verb phrase indicating a declination of communication. Ludwig AI confirms this is grammatically correct and is often used to report research outcomes or survey results where potential participants declined interaction.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

75%

News & Media

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "refused to be contacted" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression, particularly in scientific and research contexts, to document the declination of communication. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. When documenting research, clarity and precision are essential to avoid ambiguity. Alternative phrases, such as "declined to be contacted" or "did not consent to be contacted", can provide nuanced descriptions of the situation. Understanding the context and implications of its usage is vital for maintaining data integrity and ethical standards in research and communication.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone "refused to be contacted"?

It means the person has explicitly declined to receive any form of communication, such as calls, emails, or letters. This often occurs in research studies or surveys where participants have the right to "opt out".

What are some alternatives to "refused to be contacted"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "declined to be contacted", "did not consent to be contacted", or "opted out of contact".

In research, why is it important to note when someone "refused to be contacted"?

Documenting that someone "refused to be contacted" is essential for transparency and ethical reasons. It helps maintain data integrity by distinguishing between those who were unreachable and those who actively chose not to participate, which can impact the study's validity.

Is there a difference between "refused to participate" and "refused to be contacted"?

Yes, "refused to participate" generally means declining involvement in an activity or study, while "refused to be contacted" means specifically declining any communication attempts. Someone might "refuse to participate" but still allow contact for other purposes, and vice versa.

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Source & Trust

81%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: