[April]

What are good practices for making sure that youth can make an informed decision about participating in an evaluation of a youth program?

Good practices will include:

– Notifying youths that their participation is voluntary and they are allowed to retrieve from the process at any time.

– Informed consent should be given by the youth and the guardian.

– Treating clients with respect and dignity.

– Use transparency. Inform clients of what the evaluation is about.

– Explain confidentiality.

[Lisa]

By the way, if anyone needs someone to participate as a professional in a research study, feel free to contact me.

[Lisa]

Based on my professional experience, I think that providing definitions and education regarding any professional and agency-related terms used in an Evaluation process is important. Sometimes, we use terms that are jargon that are not known by the general public. The other thing is that there are a lot of terms misused by the public. I also think that defining terms used with youth helps to educate the youth. The latter also may allow for buy-in to the process.

[Agnes]

Making sure that youth can make an informed decision about participating in an evaluation of a youth program involves several good practices:

– By having clear communication. Make sure that the information is clear and explain the purpose of the evaluation.

– Informed consent from both youth and legal guardians. Ensure that participants understand that their participation is voluntary.

– Feedback and follow up. like offering them the opportunity to provide suggestions or improvements.

Challenges respecting ethical principles such as confidentiality and anonymity in evaluations that include youth can include:

– Participant safety. It’s important to have protocols in place to address any potential risks to participants’ safety and well-being.

– Anonymity

Privacy and confidentiality. Assure participants that their responses will be kept confidential and that their identities will not be linked to their individual responses

[Mourer]

Clear and direct language and communication, having a diversity methods of explanation and evaluation, having a clear and non-judgemental option to not participate in the evaluation.

[Cecilia]

I find that using language that meets youth at their level is a really important way of ensuring informed consent because it allows them (and their signatory/guardian if need be) to have the same understanding of what is being asked of them as the evaluator asking them to participate.

[Cameo]

What are good practices for making sure that youth can make an informed decision about participating in an evaluation of a youth program?

• Highlight that their participation is optional, that they get to decide how to participate, and that participation can be withdrawn at any time without penalty
• Clearly describe what youth can expect when they participate and give them options on how they can participate in a way that works best for them
• Let youth know how you plan to use the information they provide. Why are you doing this evaluation? They should know!
• Answer questions. Be transparent, honest, and genuine.

Any challenges respecting ethical principles such as confidentiality and anonymity in evaluations that include youth?

• I work with small groups (and in a community where a lot of people know each other and, if they don’t, they probably have a mutual or two). It’s hard to guarantee anonymity even when responses are submitted anonymously and are not directly attributed to any person.
• Obtaining parental consent for youth who wish to participate is sometimes a challenge for the communities I work with. It’s a respectful requirement, but also a barrier for many youth

[jayal]

A few more points come to mind:

-clear easy to understand purpose of the evaluation

-multiple ways to participate/accessibility e.g. consider literacy, access to technology, etc.

-giving clear understanding where information/responses go or used e.g. visual quotes in reports, helps tally/percentage

-consent and how anonymity is important

[Michaelene]

You’ve identified some really great points Jayal!

[Stephanie]

All of the responses thus far are extremely useful!

I think that these good practices begin much before even meeting with youth participants involved in an evaluation. Good practices are something that must be considered, valued and intentional from even the planning of the evaluations (considering things like what is the significance of this information and findings? Who may be affected through these findings? Are community voices heard and included throughout the process?).

In saying this, when the evaluation process moves forward consent and communication, as many also mentioned, are CRITICAL parts. As evaluators we should be committed to communicating and checking in with participants throughout the processes of evaluation, answering any questions, and providing support if necessary.

[Michaelene]

Everyone has made some really solid suggestions regarding good practices. I think that transparency about how and who was consulted in developing the evaluation has value as well. Being clear about the purpose, the rationale and what the intention for the data is. Confirm that the data will be available for sharing. All of these should of course be in ‘youth speak’, not in a diminuitive way but developmentally appropriate. Being prepared to address any questions is critical too, especially for youth who may have a higher level of interest.

[Sara]

– Ensure that all the information is provided

– Explain privacy/confidentiality as applicable

– Explain the ability to withdraw from the evaluation program

– Explain the possible benefits and consequences of participating

– Ensure that if youth are too young to make an informed decision for themselves, that a guardian is involved

– Be ready to answer questions

[Lulu]

– Consent form: obtain guardian’s approval for those under 18

– Informed consent: reassuring youth that the collected data will be confidential (i.e., no access from externals) and anonymous (i.e., the content of the data will not be traced back to the participants)

– Explain the goals of evaluation method

– Ensure youth that participation is voluntary and their consent is ongoing: they can withdraw at any time and still get compensated for their time

– Create a safe, trusting environment

[Michaelene]

The point about the right to withdraw is so important

[Caroline]

Fantastic point about creating a safe, trusting environment. This is foundational not only for boosting incentive to participate, but for youth to feel comfortable sharing open, honest feedback as well.

[Andrew]

in addition to the above, ensuring youth know they are not required to participate, that they are free to be part of the program even if they do not want to be a part of the evaluation.

[Caroline]

Yes! While we’d love all of our youth to participate in evaluation, we want to make it clear that participation is not mandatory.

[Daniel]

A big challenge many youth face when giving feedback is the method of feedback. Due to a modern age of fast pace apps and user friendly UI’s youth do not like when giving feedback takes an exorbitant amount of time and effort. When the feedback process is streamlined and easy to use it encourages the youth to take their time with the feedback and to make sure the feedback they are giving is informed and authentic.

[Caroline]

Good point, Daniel. I’d argue that a lot of adults feel this around sharing feedback too!

[Marco]

• Providing them with all of the information about the program that they are going to be evaluating

• Providing them with opportunities to ask questions

• Providing them with information about informed consent and how they can withdraw from the evaluation process at any time as it is voluntary

• Making sure that they are aware of how confidentiality and anonymity will be maintained and how the collected information/data will be handled and/or stored appropriately

• Make sure that they are fully aware of the implication of their participation in the evaluation

[Caroline]

All excellent points, Marco!