About Participation

Who can participate?

Anyone aged 16 to 19 who reads speculative YA fiction and wants to talk about the characters and the relationships between teens and adults in these stories.

It’s totally fine if you’ve read the books in English or in (Dutch) translation.

You don’t need to be fluent in English or Dutch – just comfortable enough to read the survey and express your thoughts in either language. (For interviews, speaking in English or Dutch is also necessary.)

I'm younger than 18. Do I need permission from my parents/guardians?

We use passive consent. This means your parent(s)/guardian(s) need to know you’re taking the survey and not object to your participation. You can find the Information Letter for Parents & Guardians here.

For the interview: Yes. Interviews require active parental permission. More information will be posted soon. You’ll be able to find the Information Letters here.

What will I be asked to do?

You’ll answer questions about characters, relationships, and your reading experiences with a series you choose. There are no right or wrong answers: we’re interested in your own thoughts, experiences, and interpretations.

What does taking part involve?

You can take part in one or both parts of the study:

• An online survey (about 15-20 minutes; up to 30-35 minutes if you choose two series)
• An optional one-on-one interview later on

You choose what you want to do.

How will my responses be used?

Your responses will be part of academic research, used in my PhD dissertation, in publications, workshops, or presentations, and/or may be used to inform educators, librarians, and youth organizations about how YA fiction can support adolescent development and intergenerational relationships. Everything will be pseudonymized before use, and nothing that identifies you will ever be shared.

Will I be compensated?

There’s no payment or prize for taking part in the survey, but your input is incredibly valuable. By sharing your thoughts, you’ll help researchers better understand how young(er) readers like you engage with stories about growing up and adult guidance.