Who is it for? 

Researchers

Overview:

Endings and acknowledgements are important in all research interactions with children and young people but often particularly so in participatory research where strong relationships may have built up over time and children and young people have developed a strong sense of ownership for the research project.

There are lots of different ways to mark the end of the project. As a minimum they should always include:

• Acknowledgement – an acknowledgement of each person’s contributions – reminding them and others of what they have achieved. Certificates and references can be useful and tangible ways of providing an acknowledgement that can have further value for a participant.
• Thanks – a formal thank you and appreciation for those contributions – ensuring they feel properly valued for their contribution.
• Feedback – feedback about any impact of the project (if there’s been any identified) or follow up information about how they will receive feedback in the future.
• Fun – as identified in Houghton (2015)’s ethical framework – fun is essential to participation work with children and young people impacted by domestic abuse and endings provide a perfect opportunity for celebration and enjoyment.

Key strengths: 

Endings provide an important opportunity to: consolidate young participants’ sense of achievement and worth; support recognition of children and young people’s impact, influence and power; and provide a moment for reflection and celebration.

Key challenges:

Endings can also be poignant and associated with loss – especially where participatory research projects have been a significant part of children and young people’s lives. Acknowledging the absence that may follow the end of a participation project for some individuals and thinking about ways to ‘keep in touch’ or link children and young people into new opportunities can help.