Protocol for the collection and dissemination of data on children and adolescents participating in studies

Abstract

The Working Group on Statistics on Childhood and Adolescence of the Statistical Conference of the Americas has been working since 2015 to improve the region’s capacity to produce statistics on children and adolescents. In this context, and having found that there are no ethical protocols for statistical research in the region, a decision was made to develop a standard protocol to facilitate the collection and dissemination of data on children and adolescents in statistical offices. The instrument considers regional specifics and the effect of local cultural and gender norms; and it anticipates possible responses to sensitive situations (based on the identification of situations in which children and adolescents are at risk). It thus makes it possible to put measures in place to mitigate potential negative effects on children and adolescents in the fieldwork. This proposal was designed on the basis of a qualitative and quantitative diagnostic assessment of research with children and adolescents in Latin America and the Caribbean.