AHS Methodology: Consent

Consent Procedures for the AHS

Is the Survey Voluntary?

Participation in the Adolescent Health Survey is voluntary; that is, students are not required to fill out the questionnaire, and parents or guardians have the right to deny permission for a student to participate when the survey is administered in the classroom.

The participation of schools and students chosen as part of the survey sample is, of course, important to the success of the survey. The sample of students selected to complete the survey is designed to be representative of the whole province, and maximum participation ensures that the data collected reflects the perspectives of all regions.

Two types of consent

School Districts decide on the specific consent procedure to be used in their district. There are two types of consent:Parental Notification and Student Consent and Written Parental consent.

• Parental notification and student consent means that parents or guardians of students in classes selected for the survey receive a letter explaining the survey. The parent/guardian is encouraged to talk to the student about the student’s decision. Parents or guardians can refuse permission for the student to participate by signing and returning the letter.

  In the past, 85% of students in classes using this procedure completed a questionnaire.

• Written parental consent means that parents or guardians of students in classes selected for the survey receive a letter explaining the survey with a consent form. Participation requires written consent from the parents or guardians. If parents or guardians grant permission, students can still decide to participate or not.

  In school districts that used a written parental consent process for AHS III, 57% of students in classes selected for the survey completed a questionnaire.