title: Ethical and epistemological insights: a case study of participatory action research with young people.
abstract: Debates over how to determine age of consent for youth to participate in research feature prominently in the practice of researchers, research ethics boards (REBs), and community decision makers working with youth. In particular, tensions can arise over how the ethical principles of beneficence, autonomy, and justice are interpreted and applied in research involving young people. We discuss our experiences obtaining ethical approval to conduct a participatory action research project involving youth and the differences of opinion we encountered regarding underage youth's capability to make informed consent. We suggest that researchers, REBs, and community decision makers all share a responsibility to conduct proactive outreach to youth participants, so that they are adequately informed of their rights related to research.
authors.affiliation: Youth Sexual Health Team, School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC. cathy.chabot@ubc.ca
authors.forename: Cathy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chabot
authors.forename: Jean A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Shoveller
authors.forename: Grace
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Spencer
authors.forename: Joy L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D003256:Community Participation; D003657:Decision Making; D028744:Ethics Committees, Research; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000941:ethics* / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent / Q000941:ethics*; D018579:Patient Selection / Q000941:ethics*; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D012107:Research Design; D035842:Research Subjects; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012935:Social Justice