Experiences of being, and working with, young people with disabilities as peer researchers in Senegal: The impact on data quality, analysis, and well-being

Enabling Action: Reflections upon Inclusive Participatory Research on Health with Women with Disabilities in the Philippines

“…However, there are costs and challenges inherent in such an approach, disproportionately born by co-researchers when exploring sensitive topics with peers (Evans, 2016;Vaughan et al, 2019). Co-researchers can work with members of their communities to generate rich, impactful data about difficult issues, but this can also lead to co-researchers experiencing vicarious trauma and distress (Burke, le May, K eb e, Flink, & van Reeuwijk, 2018). Our experience highlights the importance of recognizing this risk and planning and resourcing strategies to support all members of a research team, but in particular co-researchers from the community.…”

A Failed Method? Reflections on Using Audio Diaries in Uganda With Young People Growing Up With HIV in the BREATHER Trial

“…It serves as a case study for the need for responsive study designs, in which context is not treated as “background static” but a critical variable influencing the effective selection of interacting methods, technologies, and techniques (Adams et al, 2014). We need to try to resist the pressure that is accompanying the growing enthusiasm for qualitative innovation in clinical trials to deliver qualitative studies on an accelerated time frame using the favored methods of funders (Burke, le May, Kébé, Flink, & van Reeuwijk, 2018) without having the opportunity to pilot these methods in context, as we cannot know a priori what will work where, when, and with whom. If we are to innovate toward a more effective arsenal of qualitative methods for integration into RCTs, then this must involve the use of flexible social science designs so that methods can be tailored, adapted, or even abandoned as necessary.…”

‘Sex Is Not Just about Ovaries.’ Youth Participatory Research on Sexuality Education in The Netherlands

“…The insider status of peer researchers increased access to study informants and empowered young people [ 35 , 36 ]. The literature suggests that peer researchers may establish a strong rapport with informants leading to a greater depth of the data and improved research of sensitive topics such as sexual health [ 35 , 37 , 38 ]. Studies show that with appropriate and adequate resources (time, financial investment), peer interviewing produces a positive, capacity building experience for peer-interviewers, participants, and researchers [ 35 , 38 ].…”

“…Each group of peer researchers was assigned one of the professional researchers for support and guidance. Some studies reported special ethical challenges related to peer research [ 38 ]. Participating as a peer researcher can cause distress to the young people involved when they hear about problems or sexual trauma.…”