By: Natalia Pastori Curbelo, Dr. ShadiaNassar and Dr. Kristie Drucza
This blog is part 2 of Includovate’s youth-led research series and explains why it is crucial to give special attention to capacity building and self-awareness in research, especially youth-led research.
Introduction
Ensuring that youth are involved in research about them is crucial for accurately representing their viewpoints, experiences, and needs in decision-making processes that impact their lives. Moreover, it empowers young people to participate in their communities actively. However, many researchers are reluctant to engage in youth-led research, perceiving it as more expensive and risky. In this blog, we will address these arguments and emphasise that adhering to ethical standards makes youth-led research no less ethical or risky than research conducted by adults.
Capacity building is a vital aspect of research as it equips researchers with essential skills, knowledge, and resources to conduct ethical research. This includes enhancing research skills, promoting ethical principles, and strengthening understanding of research methodologies and protocols. By doing so, researchers can effectively navigate ethical dilemmas, design research projects, and ethically engage with participants. Capacity building also enables researchers to critically analyse and interpret their findings, reinforcing their confidence in the research process and improving the overall quality of the research.
An assertion commonly made against youth-led research is that inexperienced researchers may be more susceptible to cognitive biases and mental shortcuts that facilitate rapid information processing by the brain. These biases can compromise judgment and result in biased interpretations. For instance, confirmation bias is when researchers unconsciously seek or interpret information that confirms their beliefs. Inexperienced researchers, who are still developing their critical thinking skills, may be more susceptible to these biases and may need to acquire the necessary skills to identify and mitigate their own biases effectively. In contrast, experienced researchers are more likely to have encountered various biases throughout their careers, which enables them to develop strategies to minimise their influence on their work.
However, it is essential that all researchers receive proper training in research ethics and techniques for minimising bias. In qualitative research, acknowledging that researcher subjectivity can impact the interaction with research participants is crucial (e.g., the emotional experience of the researcher and the interpretive lens they use). Even experienced researchers must establish rapport with younger participants during a study so they feel comfortable sharing their experiences openly. Providing training sessions and mentorship opportunities to researchers enhances the quality of research and helps to minimise subjectivity.
Critics often voice concerns about the suitability of young people to engage in certain research topics or situations, such as those related to violence or assault. This raises ethical questions about whether it is appropriate to expose young people to such situations without adequate emotional support, such as access to counselling or debriefing. Additionally, providing such support may increase the cost of conducting youth-led research, which could be a barrier during the research design phase.
All researchers, regardless of their age, may face difficult situations or come across distressing information during their research. Although most ethical guidelines emphasise the protection of both researchers and participants, there is limited research on the impact that sensitive or challenging research has on the researchers themselves. A study conducted in 2019, titled The Impact of Sensitive Research on the Researcher: Preparedness and Positionality aimed to address this gap in knowledge by focusing on researchers who conduct research across various sensitive topics. The study findings revealed that, although experienced researchers may possess some resilience to deal with challenging data, they can still benefit from opportunities to share their experiences in a safe and supportive environment. As such, it is crucial to prioritise the well-being of researchers in qualitative research and to acknowledge the emotional impact that conducting such research can have on them.
Ensuring the ethical treatment of research participants is paramount. However, minimising negative impacts on researchers is often an afterthought, typically arising only in response to a disturbing research topic or event. It is essential for those leading research or evaluation teams to provide discussion and counselling to all team members, regardless of age or experience. Furthermore, researchers should prioritise their “self-care” needs when dealing with sensitive topics. By incorporating these practices and comprehensive training opportunities, the risks to youth-led researchers can be reduced, as well as the costs associated with conducting such studies.
Conclusion
In conclusion, fostering self-awareness among researchers is vital in minimising negative impacts on themselves and the participants. By being aware of their biases, values, and perspectives, researchers can ensure objectivity, fairness, and accuracy in their research and protect against potential harm or ethical violations. Additionally, self-awareness enables researchers to consider the potential consequences of their research on the participants, ensuring their well-being, confidentiality, and informed consent. By encouraging researchers to critically reflect on their positionality, responsibilities, and potential power dynamics, the ethical implications of their research can be better managed and mitigated. This blog argues that by making these practices standard, all researchers, including youth, can be better protected.
