Data Collection Best Practice: Informed Participation

The Massachusetts Collaborative for Action, Leadership, and Learning 3 (MassCALL3) and State Opioid Response – Prevention in Early Childhood (SOR-PEC) initiatives both require the collection of various types of information to inform the design and delivery of grant-related services This information may be collected through structured interviews and focus groups with community members. Coalitions have an ethical obligation to ensure informed participation. This means that all involved individuals fully understand the purpose of the data collection activity and how the information being collected will be used. This brief provides guidance for BSAS grantee coalitions to ensure informed participation for individuals who are engaged in their data collection efforts.