title: Practical approaches to seeking assent from children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe and evaluate two approaches--a storyboard and a wordsearch--that the authors used with children aged four to 12 years to obtain assent.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  The assent process is vital in helping children to understand the elements of a research project and to make a choice of whether or not to participate. However, the methods for obtaining assent are not well documented.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two researchers' thematic reviews of the primary researcher's field notes, taken during a study of eating problems during chemotherapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The assent process appeared to be an enjoyable, positive experience for many children. They appeared to understand what participation entailed--that it was voluntary and that they had a choice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  When using child-centred techniques, children are aware of what being in a research study will mean to them.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Researchers can be confident in gaining assent from children as young as five years.
authors.affiliation: Department of Children's Nursing, London South Bank University.
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kumpunen
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Shipway
authors.forename: Rachel M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: Susie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aldiss
authors.forename: Faith
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gibson
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D015399:Nursing Research; D006113:United Kingdom