There is a lack of diversity in many scientific studies. This is partly because there is a selection bias in the participants. Young people from middle to high socioeconomic backgrounds are often over-represented in research. The Erasmus SYNC Lab recently received a communications grant to make its research diverse and inclusive. Dr. Lysanne te Brinke and Kayla Green explain how Erasmus SYNC lab plans to address this in the coming years.
How does selection bias arise in scientific research?
Te Brinke: "There are several factors that play a role in selective (self) selection of participants in scientific research. Selection bias also arises in different phases of research. Firstly, bias arises because not all types of schools are equally willing to participate in scientific research. For example, it is easier for us to reach young people who follow a theoretical education (for example, vwo) than young people who follow a practical education (for example, vmbo or mbo) through schools. Subsequently, only a portion of the young people reached consent to participate. We think that the outdated and unnecessarily complex way of asking permission through letters plays a role. For young people, these letters are often too difficult to read, it's a lot of information, and it scares them off."
Why is diverse and inclusive research so important?
Green: "We think it is important that the target group we research, young people, is a representative sample of Dutch society. To have a representative sample, you have to pay attention to diversity and inclusion. Only then will you get a complete picture of what you are researching."
How does Erasmus SYNC lab aim to make research more diverse and inclusive?
Green: "To make our research more diverse and inclusive, we have established several goals within the Erasmus SYNC Lab: 1) to reach more young people with bi- or multicultural backgrounds, 2) to reach more young people who are following or have followed practical training (vmbo and mbo) and 3) to use other ways, such as vlogs and videos, to share information with young people. To achieve this last goal, we have already taken concrete steps. We have collaborated with young people to create informational videos that inform young people about current research in an accessible way."
Why do informational videos play an important role in making your research more inclusive?
Te Brinke: "Informed consent is an important core value of scientific research. Participants must be informed about the purpose of the study and how their data will be handled. Participants must also know that they can always withdraw from a study. This information is now often only offered in digital letters. From our YoungXperts platform, we have spoken to young people about these digital letters. They indicated that they often didn't feel like reading a large text and were also discouraged by all the scientific terms. The young people also felt that it is difficult to assess whether you can trust researchers through a letter. Young people indicated that they would prefer to see researchers themselves on the screen, explaining what happens to their data. Based on that input, we started making these information videos."
How can you reach young people who now (almost) never participate in research?
Te Brinke: "We try to reach young people through key figures, people who are around the young people, such as teachers and youth workers. It is important to wait for young people to come to us and actively go to them. It starts with making yourself visible to the people of your target group. For example, by looking up young people in the neighbourhoods, through our mobile YoungXperts Living Lab."
Can other researchers ask you for advice on ensuring diversity and inclusiveness in your research?
Green: "We are always open to exchanging views with researchers and thinking about possible collaborations, gladly even. So other researchers can certainly approach us for advice or questions. Of course, we are also curious about how other researchers are making their research more inclusive!"
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