Consent and Assent in Research with Children 区别与联系

Children are defined as individuals who are under age 18.

Assent and consent are mostly synonymous—they both mean to agree or to give permission—but assent connotes a greater degree of enthusiasm, and consent often comes with reluctance. In law and government, consent is more readily denied, while assent is often a mere formality.

Parental Consent and Child Assent

Assent is an active affirmation of a desire to participate and differs from consent which is recognized as being granted from an individual with the legal authority to do so.  Even very young children or those with limited cognitive ability can assent and they can certainly indicate a desire not to participate, which must be honored.  Assent should be administered in a manner that is easily understood by the potential participant (either written or verbal) and should be limited to a one-page format.  Illustrations might be helpful and larger type makes it easier for some individuals to read.


http://www.montana.edu/irb/consent-forms/consent_and_assent.html

https://www.research.psu.edu/irb/policies/guideline1