Youth-led Research

YouthLink Scotland have been developing a youth-led research approach over the last few years. This began with supporting young people to take action on sectarianism, then moved into examining women’s history, environmental impacts on coastal communities and more recently positive masculinity. 

This approach involves supporting young people to become researchers in their community and explore issues that resonate with them. Fundamental to the approach is that it is in line with the essential features of youth work – which ensures that young people choose to take part, that they are researching topics which matter to them and that they are equal partners with their youth workers. 

We provided the youth workers and young people with guidance and support in all aspects of conducting research including: 

• How to write a research question 
• Ethical considerations 
• Data collection methods 
• Analysis 
• Presenting research findings 

Awards 

In the process of supporting young people in youth-led research, it is important to recognise their achievements. One way this can happen is through providing young people with an opportunity to work towards an SCQF level 5 qualification named the Participative Democracy Certificate. This provides recognition for the work they are already doing as part of the youth-led research project. 

For information about the different types of accreditation opportunities available for young people taking part in research take a look at:  

• Participative Democracy Certificate – acknowledges and develops communication, decision-making and negotiation skills in the context of democratic engagement. 
• The Saltire Awards – celebrating and recognising the volunteering achievements of young people in Scotland. 
• Dynamic Youth Awards – a fun and engaging way to recognise and accredit young people’s achievements, they are externally quality assured by the Scottish Qualifications Authority.