© UNICEF/UNI904102/Iyakaremye

Evidence is vital to inform our work and make a difference for and with children. However how we conduct those activities is just as important to ensure that they respect childrens' rights and human rights more broadly, and that they do put participants or subjects at greater risk than would otherwise exist. 

This course aims to equip anyone working with UNICEF, or in a similar role, engaged in evidence activities involving children or vulnerable communities with a basic knowledge of the ethics principles, key standards for ethical practice, and issues or considerations that they should be aware of when designing, implementing or supporting an evidence activity, and how we can apply these in practice. At UNICEF this includes research, evaluation, monitoring, polls and surveys. 

Learning objectives

At the end of this course you will be able to:

  • Understand why ethical practice is important in conducting evidence activities.
  • Be able to name and understand the importance of each of the 7 principles for evidence activities involving people.
  • Recognize factors that may add to participants or communities’ vulnerability to harm or not having their rights respected in evidence activities.
  • Understand that ethical practice requires engaging across the evidence life-cycle.
  • Recognize key standards that support ethical practice and implementation of the principles – including those related to risk assessment and management, data management, consent, and safeguarding.
  • Identify key tools and approaches that support ethical practices, and be able to use these in your own work.
  • Be able to reflect on the ethics principles and standards and how they may apply in your own work.
  • Understand the importance of ongoing reflection and learning from experiences as part of ethical practice. 
  • Know where to seek additional information and support.


Audience

UNICEF staff managing and supporting research and evaluation, contractors working with UNICEF who need to be familiar with our standards, enumerators working with communities to collect information, field staff and contractors.

Length

Anticipated to take up to 1 hour. 

Methodology

Self-paced learning. 

Structure

Nine self-paced modules (including introduction and conclusion).

Each module must be successfully completed (Including a short multi-choice quiz) before moving to the next. 


Contact details

Content issues and questions: Karen Carter – Snr Advisor, Ethics in Evidence Generation - OSE Innocenti.