Informed Consent in Field Evaluation Training Course

Informed Consent in Field Evaluation Training Course

Introduction

In today’s data-driven world, ensuring ethical standards in field evaluations is more critical than ever. Informed consent is a cornerstone of ethical research and evaluation, safeguarding participant autonomy, privacy, and rights while enhancing data reliability and credibility. Informed Consent in Field Evaluation Training Course equips professionals with practical strategies to design, obtain, and document informed consent in diverse field settings. Participants will gain insights into ethical frameworks, legal considerations, and emerging best practices, enabling them to conduct evaluations that are both compliant and participant-centered.

Through interactive sessions, case studies, and hands-on exercises, participants will learn how to navigate complex ethical dilemmas and contextual challenges in field data collection. Emphasizing transparency, cultural sensitivity, and accountability, the course empowers evaluation practitioners, program managers, and research teams to uphold high ethical standards while ensuring the integrity of their findings. By mastering informed consent processes, participants will enhance stakeholder trust, improve data quality, and contribute to responsible, impactful evaluations.

Course Duration

5 days

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Define informed consent and its significance in ethical field evaluation.
2. Apply international ethical standards and national regulations in data collection.
3. Design culturally sensitive consent processes for diverse populations.
4. Identify challenges and barriers to obtaining informed consent in field settings.
5. Develop clear, participant-friendly consent forms and communication scripts.
6. Ensure data privacy, confidentiality, and participant protection.
7. Navigate ethical dilemmas using case-based problem-solving strategies.
8. Integrate digital tools to streamline consent documentation.
9. Communicate risks, benefits, and participant rights effectively.
10. Evaluate participant comprehension and voluntariness in consent procedures.
11. Mitigate power imbalances between researchers and participants.
12. Implement consent processes in vulnerable or hard-to-reach populations.
13. Conduct ethical audits and compliance checks for ongoing evaluation projects.

Target Audience

1. Field evaluation officers and data collectors
2. Program managers and project coordinators
3. Monitoring and evaluation (M&E) specialists
4. Social scientists and research assistants
5. NGOs and development sector staff
6. Ethics review board members
7. Graduate students in research or evaluation programs
8. Policy advisors and governmental monitoring officers

Course Modules

Module 1: Foundations of Informed Consent

• Definition and core principles of informed consent
• Ethical theories underpinning consent
• Historical case studies in research ethics
• Legal frameworks and international standards
• Interactive discussion: Consequences of failing to obtain consent

Module 2: Legal and Regulatory Requirements

• National and international guidelines
• Consent in different sectors
• Institutional review boards and ethical approvals
• Case study: Consent challenges in multi-country evaluations
• Compliance checklist exercises

Module 3: Designing Effective Consent Processes

• Structuring consent forms and information sheets
• Simplifying language for participant comprehension
• Visual and oral consent methods
• Interactive role-play: Simulating consent collection
• Case study: Field consent in low-literacy populations

Module 4: Communication and Cultural Sensitivity

• Addressing language barriers and local dialects
• Gender, age, and cultural considerations
• Building trust and rapport with participants
• Case study: Consent challenges in marginalized communities
• Strategies for ethical persuasion without coercion

Module 5: Privacy, Confidentiality, and Data Security

• Data protection principles in field research
• Handling sensitive information responsibly
• Digital tools for secure consent storage
• Case study: Breach of confidentiality and lessons learned
• Practical exercises: Securing participant data

Module 6: Managing Ethical Dilemmas

• Common consent-related dilemmas in field evaluations
• Balancing participant autonomy and project goals
• Conflict resolution techniques
• Case study: Ethical decision-making under pressure
• Scenario-based problem-solving exercises

Module 7: Special Populations and Vulnerable Groups

• Obtaining consent from minors and incapacitated individuals
• Consent in emergency and crisis contexts
• Strategies for marginalized or hard-to-reach populations
• Case study: Conducting evaluations in refugee camps
• Risk mitigation planning

Module 8: Monitoring, Evaluation, and Continuous Improvement

• Auditing consent processes for compliance
• Continuous feedback and participant satisfaction
• Ethical reporting and documentation standards
• Case study: Lessons from field evaluation audits
• Action plan development for field teams

Training Methodology

This course employs a participatory and hands-on approach to ensure practical learning, including:

• Interactive lectures and presentations.
• Group discussions and brainstorming sessions.
• Hands-on exercises using real-world datasets.
• Role-playing and scenario-based simulations.
• Analysis of case studies to bridge theory and practice.
• Peer-to-peer learning and networking.
• Expert-led Q&A sessions.
• Continuous feedback and personalized guidance.

Register as a group from 3 participants for a Discount

Send us an email: info@datastatresearch.org or call +254724527104 

Certification

Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with a globally- recognized certificate.

Tailor-Made Course

 We also offer tailor-made courses based on your needs.

Key Notes

a. The participant must be conversant with English.

b. Upon completion of training the participant will be issued with an Authorized Training Certificate

c. Course duration is flexible and the contents can be modified to fit any number of days.

d. The course fee includes facilitation training materials, 2 coffee breaks, buffet lunch and A Certificate upon successful completion of Training.

e. One-year post-training support Consultation and Coaching provided after the course.

f. Payment should be done at least a week before commence of the training, to DATASTAT CONSULTANCY LTD account, as indicated in the invoice so as to enable us prepare better for you.