1. What do children and young people think about taking part in surveys? Rachel Ormston 3 July 2008

2. Today’s seminar Rationale for the study Broad methodology Some findings Concluding thoughts...

3. Study aims Perspectives of children on taking part in survey research ‘Ethical’ issues Addressing two key gaps Survey research Children’s perspectives

4. Study design 8 focus groups in 4 London schools Ages 7/8, 9/10, 12/13, 14/15 6 or 8 participants; boys and girls together 1 or 1.5 hours on school premises Use of video stimuli to explore key issues

5. What we discussed with the children Decisions about taking part in surveys Who should have a say? How can we ensure ‘informed’ consent? Incomplete information Ending interviews early, refusing questions, withdrawing data Privacy and presence of others Confidentiality & disclosure

6. Decisions about taking part: key questions Who should have a say in whether you take part? Or, what’s the role of parents? What would influence your decision to say yes or no? What information do you need in order to decide? Or, what constitutes ‘informed’ consent?

7. Who should have a say - and why? Factors influencing children’s views include … Children’s rights as subjects Parents’ rights of control Parental protection from (perceived) risks Age of the child Where the interview is held Interview topic Should parents or children be approached first?

8. What would influence your decision to say yes or no? Factors influencing children’s views included … Salience of the interview topic Value of research Beliefs about confidentiality Feeling comfortable about the interviewer Do you have to take part? Confidence and ‘feeling special’

9. What information do you need to decide? Background about the survey Practical arrangements What will happen to my answers? Role of verbal versus written information

10. Incomplete information: key questions Why might you want to finish an interview early? Would you feel able to finish it early if you wanted to? Would you feel able to refuse particular questions? Why might you want to withdraw your answers later on? Would you feel able to do so?

11. Why might you want to finish an interview early? Interviewer: behaviour, characteristics Interview: long, boring Questions: ‘private’, irrelevant, hard

12. Would you feel able to finish early if you wanted to? Barriers to ending focused around... Expression: shyness / embarrassment / concern to be polite Interviewer reaction Guilt So, would they feel able to finish early?

13. Would you feel able to refuse a particular question? Reasons for refusal focused around... questions being too personal not knowing the answer not understanding the question Spectrum of views on feasibility - easy and straightforward to too difficult

14. Withdrawing answers later on Reasons for wanting to withdraw answers focused around - Correction Confidentiality Regret Should withdrawal being allowed? Would you feel able to ask to do this?

15. Privacy: key questions Is it acceptable - or desirable - for someone else to be present during the interview? What are the reasons for wanting privacy?

16. Privacy and the presence of others Reasons for having others present Comfort Assistance and correction Safety Reasons for doing interview in private Confidentiality Embarrassment Distraction or irritation Sensitive or personal topics

17. Confidentiality: key questions Is it ever acceptable to pass on someone’s answers? How do you decide when it’s acceptable or not?

18. Confidentiality ‘Wide’ vs. ‘narrow’ views if justified to breach... Wide – stealing, problems with schoolwork, any bullying Narrow – should not disclose self-harm or parental abuse Key considerations What was promised? Has child agreed to disclosure? An ‘important’ issue? Potential outcomes? Alternatives to telling?

19. Concluding thoughts Sensitive or personal topics Right or wrong answers Role of the survey interviewer Information about their characteristics Offering advice Explanation and clarification

20. Full report on NatCen website ‘Children’s perspectives on participating in survey research’ (2007) by Alice Reeves, Caroline Bryson, Rachel Ormston and Clarissa White, NatCen: London (ISBN: 978-1-904599-79-1) www.natcen.ac.uk/pages/publications/ children_perspectives_on_participating.pdf r.ormston@scotcen.org.ukr.ormston@scotcen.org.uk, Tel 0131 221 2567