Using Incentives: Encouraging and Recognising Participation in Youth Research

Abstract

This article explores the ethical implications of using incentives to encourage and recognise youth participation in research. While the complexity of research projects and the diversity of research subjects necessarily preclude simple solutions, the author argues that social research can successfully and ethically use a mix of extrinsic and intrinsic incentives. Reflecting on her own Queensland research, the author discusses four different incentives (altruism, payment, recognition and visual props) and contends that youth researchers can minimise the coercive effect of incentives by moderating and contextualising their use and by emphasising voluntary consent at all levels. She also suggests there is a need for researchers to add to the evidence base on the efficacy and ethical use of incentives in their research with young people.