Research with Children at a Family Centre
Case for discussion on informed consent in research with children in a vulnerable life situation.
A health research group has been asked to evaluate a family centre that, among other things, offers support and treatment to children living in homes with parents who have or have had mental health and/or substance-related problems.
The purpose of the evaluation is to examine to what extent the method used at the family centre works as intended, and to what extent the children feel that the support from the centre helps them manage everyday life better.
To establish the best possible basis for the evaluation, the researcher wishes to interview 10 children, all between the ages of 10 and 18. The researcher plans to conduct semi-structured group interviews with the children and will record the interviews to avoid having to take notes during the sessions. Prior to the interviews, the researcher must obtain consent from the children and/or their guardians.
The researcher proposes visiting the children’s parents at home to obtain consent for the children’s participation in the study. During the visit, the researcher will explain the background of the study, how it will be carried out, and how the information will be used afterwards.
Questions for discussion
- What ethical issues must the researcher consider when using this approach to obtaining consent?
- What is required for the researcher to be confident that the children and/or parents understand what research is, what the researcher’s role entails, and how the information shared during the interviews will be used?
The researcher has also considered asking staff at the family centre for help in obtaining consent from the children.
- What are the arguments for and against such an approach?
- What precautions should the researcher take to ensure free and informed consent, given that the participants are children in a vulnerable life situation?
The interviews must take place in the afternoon and evening, as the children attend school during the day. To ensure that participants do not attend the interviews on an empty stomach, the researcher decides to provide pizza and soft drinks.
- Could this be characterised as an incentive?
The researcher proposes semi-structured group interviews, but also recognises that individual interviews could be relevant.
- What issues must the researcher consider when choosing between these methods?
- What kinds of follow-up routines might the children need before, during, and after the interviews?
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