Given the increased awareness of ethical requirements when undertaking research with children and young people, and the importance of gaining informed consent directly from all research participants, this page provides examples of information sheets and consent forms developed by staff in Moray House School of Education.
The following provides a definition of 'informed consent':
The principle of informed consent is, essentially, an expression of the
belief in the need for truthful and respectful exchanges between researchers
and the people they study. Studies involving human participants should
be based as far as possible on the freely given informed consent of participants.
There are three steps in the consent process, giving information, obtaining
freely given consent and documenting how consent was obtained. Researchers
should be aware that consent in many studies will be a process and may
require negotiation over time.
(See University
of Melbourne)
It is now desirable research practice that informed consent should be
actively sought from children and researchers should use methods of communication
that help promote their comprehension. The examples below illustrate
that a variety of formats are acceptable and that user-friendly language
is effective, as is the use of visual imagery and illustration.
All the examples address key areas, providing a jargon-free description
of the research, why it is important, and what taking part involves; they
also provide contact information on the researchers and the organization
they represent, on how the data provided by participants will be used,
on confidentiality, and on how feedback on study findings can be obtained.
It is important to emphasise that participation is voluntary and that the
child or young person can withdraw from the study at any time, without
having to give an explanation for doing so.
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