Gaining access, obtaining consent

1. Gaining access, obtaining consent Pete McCarthy University of Newcastle

2. Gaining access obtaining consent About �getting in� and �getting on�. Obtaining physical access to respondents and then establishing social access, i.e. to fit in, be accepted and establish a trust relationship with people who may have learned through experience not to trust. But how do we do this?

3. Negotiating access Establishing points of contact and individuals from whom permission will be required Preparing outlines of the study Producing ethical statement Clearing official channels Negotiating with gatekeepers Discussing the study with key participants Obtaining consent

4. Networks of access

5. Barriers to access Getting Police clearance (Criminal Records Bureau) Insecurity. People may feel that research will expose deficiencies and/or threaten their position Research fatigue Disenchantment � subjects may feel that they have gained nothing from previous involvement in research Protective instincts � keeping researchers away from clients Other priorities � People may need to get on with their jobs and find meeting the needs of researchers disruptive

6. The challenge To convince participants that engagement is worthwhile. They need to feel that they will get something out of it, though it will not necessarily be them personally who feel any benefits. But the way to do this varies according to positions in hierarchies.

7. Key issues re. obtaining consent What is informed consent? Does a signature on a consent form necessarily mean that someone has understood? Positive or negative consent: Opting in or having the opportunity to opt out. Opportunities to withdraw. Are they clear? Consent form parent or both. What about absent parents or non-parents acting as guardians? Age of young people. When is parental consent not needed? Is coercion ever acceptable? Carrot and stick issues