Disseminating research results to kids: practical tips from the Neighbourhoods for Active Kids study

Appropriately disseminating results to children are important because it respects the role they played in the research process. Clearly conveying complex messages to children, however, can be challenging and take a substantial amount of time for researchers. This paper reports on the results dissemination processes and accompanying critical reflection, that occurred during Neighbourhoods for Active Kids study – a community-based health research project with 1102 children aged 8–13 years residing in Auckland, Aotearoa/New Zealand. The results dissemination items included: an individual physical activity and food-purchasing behaviour summary, school physical activity and food-purchasing behaviour summary, colouring-in poster, a video, comic, results booklet, school summary report and school data. The results from critical reflection have been developed into five tips for disseminating results to children. The tips are: consult with children and incorporate their feedback throughout; allow space for change and adaptation; meet children where they are at in the digital world and in the physical world; it’s OK to ask for help; and be careful of the words you use. Findings can be used to inform results dissemination activities across a range of social science disciplines.

向儿童妥善传播研究成果至关重要，因其尊重了儿童在研究过程中所发挥的作用。然而，向儿童清晰传递复杂信息颇具挑战，且会耗费研究者大量时间。本文阐述了「活力社区儿童」（Neighbourhoods for Active Kids）研究期间开展的成果传播流程及配套的批判性反思——该项目为基于社区的健康研究，共纳入1102名居住于新西兰奥特罗阿/奥克兰的8~13岁儿童。本次成果传播内容包括：个体体力活动与食品购买行为总结报告、学校层面体力活动与食品购买行为总结报告、填色海报、视频、漫画、成果手册、学校总结报告以及学校相关数据。基于本次批判性反思的结果，我们总结出五条面向儿童的成果传播小贴士，具体为：全程与儿童沟通并吸纳其反馈；预留调整与适配空间；贴合儿童在数字世界与现实世界中的场景；可主动寻求协助；谨慎选用措辞。本研究结论可为多个人文社科领域的成果传播活动提供参考。