• All submissions should be based on original fieldwork conducted by you, involving direct interviews with working youth from underprivileged backgrounds.

• All transcripts and insights should accurately reflect real conversations, documented with care and respect.

• No interviews should have been fabricated, altered, or misrepresented.

• Consent should be obtained from all participants.

• Follow Core Principles of Safeguarding in Research

  • Do No Harm: Ensure the research process does not cause emotional, psychological, or physical harm.

  • Informed Consent: Ensure participants understand the purpose, risks, and benefits of the research before agreeing to participate.

  • Confidentiality and Data Protection: Store personal data securely and anonymized.

  • Right to Withdraw: Enable participants to leave the study at any point without penalty or pressure.

  • Secondary Data Use: When using previously collected data, ensure it was gathered ethically and with appropriate consent.

• Implement Safeguards for Participants

  • Safe Meeting Locations: Conduct interviews or focus groups in public, neutral, and accessible spaces.

  • No Personal Contact Sharing: Use institutional emails or phone numbers. Avoid sharing personal contact details.

  • Referral Lists: Provide participants with a list of support services (e.g., mental health helplines, legal aid, shelters) in cases where the research triggered distress or reveals unmet needs.

  • Trauma-Informed Approach: Avoid triggering language or questions. Pause or stop if a participant becomes distressed.

  • Inclusive Design: Tailor methods to accommodate disabilities, language barriers, and cultural sensitivities

• Implement Safeguards for Researchers

  • Buddy System: Avoid conducting fieldwork alone, especially in unfamiliar or high-risk environments.

  • Emergency Protocols: Have a clear plan for what to do if a participant discloses abuse, self-harm, or poses a threat to others.

  • Boundaries and Professionalism: Maintain clear boundaries: No social media connections, gifts, or personal favours.

  • Remote Safety: In virtual settings, ensure privacy (e.g., use headphones, secure platforms) and be alert to signs of distress.

 

Note that all submissions may be subject to random audit.