What is assent in research with minors?

• A. Parental consent is optional for minors.
• B. The child's denial to participate.
• C. A child’s affirmative agreement to participate, when capable, in addition to parental consent.
• D. A written document from the researcher.

Answer: (C)

Assent is a minor’s own affirmative agreement to participate in a study, given when the child is capable of understanding what the research involves, and it’s provided in addition to parental consent. This reflects respect for the developing autonomy of young people and helps ensure they truly understand what they’re agreeing to.

It’s not simply the child denying participation, and it isn’t something produced by the researcher as a formal instruction. Rather, assent is the child’s voluntary agreement—often expressed verbally, but can be written—while parental consent covers the legal permission for the child to participate. In practice, researchers obtain both: the parent’s permission and the child’s assent, when the child is capable of providing it.