Collaborative research methods and best practice with children and young people: protocol for a mixed-method review of the health and social sciences literature

Rebecca Nowland; Laura Robertson; Nicola Farrelly; Alastair Roy; Darren Sharpe; Cath Harris; Nora Morocza; Cath Larkins

doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2022-061659

Collaborative research methods and best practice with children and young people: protocol for a mixed-method review of the health and social sciences literature

BMJ Open. 2022 Oct 6;12(10):e061659. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-061659.

Authors

Rebecca Nowland¹, Laura Robertson², Nicola Farrelly³, Alastair Roy³, Darren Sharpe⁴, Cath Harris⁵, Nora Morocza⁴, Cath Larkins³

Affiliations

¹ School of Community Health and Midwifery, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK rnowland@uclan.ac.uk.
² Research Department, Poverty Alliance, Glasgow, UK.
³ School of Social Work, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK.
⁴ Institute for Connected Communities, University of East London, London, UK.
⁵ Applied Health Research Hub, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK.

Abstract

Introduction: Children and young people have the right to participate in research on matters that affect them, and their contribution improves research quality and insights from findings. Discrete participatory approaches are used across different disciplines. This review will provide a synthesis of existing literature from different disciplines by working with young people and adults experienced in participatory research to develop a broad definition of child and youth led research and to identify best practice.

Methods and analysis: Comprehensive searches will be conducted in eight electronic databases (PsycINFO, Medline, CINAHL, Embase, SocINDEX, ASSIA: Applied Social Sciences Index and Abstracts (Proquest), Social Care Online and SCOPUS). Grey literature reports will also be sourced using Google searching. Eligible studies will be English-language primary studies and reviews on collaborative research with children and young people (aged 5-25 years) published from 2000 onwards. Qualitative and quantitative data will be integrated in a single qualitative synthesis following the JBI convergent integrated approach. Study quality will be assessed by developed checklists based on existing participation tools cocreated with the project steering group and co-creation activities with young people.

Ethics and dissemination: Ethical approval is not required as no primary data will be collected. The review will develop guidance on best practice for collaborative research with children and young people, synthesising learnings from a wide variety of disciplines. Dissemination will be via peer-reviewed publications, presentations at academic conferences and lay summaries for various stakeholders. Opportunities for cocreation of outputs will be sought with the young researchers and the project steering committee.

Prospero registration number: CRD42021246378.

Keywords: Child & adolescent psychiatry; Community child health; PUBLIC HEALTH; QUALITATIVE RESEARCH; SOCIAL MEDICINE; STATISTICS & RESEARCH METHODS.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
Child
Humans
Learning
Research Design*
Review Literature as Topic
Social Support*