Projet Jeune Leader's Research Assistants: The Heart of Quality Research

Since 2023, we've been conducting research to understand whether our comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) program — especially when implemented in some of Madagascar's most rural schools — can foster healthier, safer relationships among Malagasy adolescents. The findings from this study will be invaluable in giving us reliable, essential data to address adolescent girls and boys' safety and wellbeing in Madagascar.

More than 5,000 adolescents participated in the study. To reach that many students across such remote areas, we relied on 50 research assistants who were trained and supported by our research partners at Johns Hopkins University and the PJL team.

Despite the large number of participants and the challenging conditions, we were consistently impressed by our research assistants' professionalism, skill, and dedication. We spoke with three of them — Isabelle, Esmann, and Helenos — to hear about their roles and responsibilities in their own words. Here are three things they identified as making the biggest difference in collecting quality data.

1. Technical Skills

From interpersonal communication to digital tools to strict protocol adherence, the research team ensured the data collection was rigorous from start to finish.

Our research assistants demonstrated strong interpersonal communication skills: active listening, clear expression, managing both conversations and emotions. This allowed participants, whether 10 or 18 years old, to fully understand the questionnaire and express their views accurately.

Esmann explains: "During a discussion with a participant, staying calm is so important. I avoid judgment by being attentive and actively listening. I try never to interrupt when a participant is answering. And above all, I take a few steps before starting the survey: I find a place where the participant feels comfortable. I try to build a good rapport so they feel at ease throughout. And I reassure every participant that their answers are completely confidential."

Hélénos puts it this way: "I set aside any judgment or assumptions about participants. I always keep a neutral tone when asking questions so I never influence them to answer a certain way."

Assistants also followed all survey and conduct protocols carefully to collect reliable, quality data.

Isabelle shares her approach: "I always respect the participant's choices. I make sure I know the questionnaire well so the survey flows smoothly. And I clearly explain to the participant the purpose of the discussion and what we'll be covering."

Another research assistant highlighted his responsibility: "I read every question clearly. I don't rephrase, change, or explain questions. That way, the meaning stays intact and isn't colored by my own interpretation. I follow the questionnaire order. I always ensure the confidentiality of each participant's answers and reassure them of this. And I closely follow all the rules and criteria for conducting the survey."

2. Field Skills

Technical skills alone aren't enough: this kind of research also demands solid fieldwork capabilities. Most of the study locations where we worked were in hard-to-reach, rural areas. Whether it was the roads to get there, access to food, the lack of nearby health clinics, or unpredictable weather, every trip came with its own challenges.

Most research assistants stayed with local families across study sites for around two months during data collection, since the research areas were villages without hotels or guesthouses.

Esmann shares his approach: "In hard-to-reach areas, challenges are always there, but so are solutions. One of the most important things is building a strong team dynamic and looking out for each other. That solidarity and team spirit goes a long way in facing challenges together. I reach out to the school director and other local officials in advance to get a sense of the local weather and figure out what supplies we'll need to bring. Preparation is key. I pack warm clothing and preventative medications. We also always notify local authorities when we arrive so we can stay safe."

Long hikes, river crossings by local transport, zebu cart rides — this was the everyday reality of reaching partner schools. Isabelle reflects: "Long walks are one of my biggest challenges. I prepare mentally in advance and accept things as they are. Whatever the challenges, I'm ready, and I'm going to do organized, quality work."

This adaptability was a major asset, but it was ultimately teamwork and mutual support that allowed the assistants to push through. Based on early feedback from research assistants, the PJL team updated training and refresher capacity-building to include sessions on teamwork, assertive and effective communication within teams, and expressing and respecting each other's boundaries.

Esmann illustrates the importance of understanding and managing team dynamics: "Everyone on a team has their own ideas and ways of doing things. But I don't put pressure on others or force anything. We divide responsibilities so the work flows smoothly. When something needs to get done, I take the first step so it's easier for others to follow. I also ask the team for help respectfully and with kindness."

Isabelle adds: "Everyone on the team has their own personality. But personally, I always follow the guidance from training so we can work together harmoniously. I set my own boundaries and I respect others' on my team."

This flexibility, combined with deep solidarity, was the real engine behind the success of data collection.

3. Stress Management and a Trauma-Informed Approach

When research touches on sensitive topics like this study did — focusing on violence — stress or emotional distress can surface, whether for the research assistants themselves or for the participants. If that's handled poorly, it can derail the research process and create real harm to individuals.

Fortunately, our research assistants were well prepared.

More than 15 hours of their initial training was dedicated to trauma-informed data collection and mental health, with full-day refresher sessions before each data collection period. The goals were twofold: to protect the assistants themselves throughout the research, and to equip them to support any participant showing signs of distress. They learned to recognize warning signs and apply psychological first aid when difficult situations arose.

Hélénos describes how he managed his mental health in the field: "I try to stay in control of my thoughts. When a participant shares something, I avoid internalizing and taking on their emotions. During team debriefs, I ask what others felt and I listen carefully."

Esmann continues: "I focus on watching for any signs of distress in the participant. At the end of every day, I check in with the team to see if anything is weighing on them. After that, we share and reflect on what we experienced during the day so we can handle it better next time."

Isabelle speaks to the resources available to her: "When distress comes up, I call my team leader. I also call our psychologist to get the support I need. And I use the tips in the self-care booklet, which is a guide created by Projet Jeune Leader for mental wellbeing. For example, when I'm feeling weighed down by an emotion, I do deep breathing, which is a practice I find really helps."

Ultimately, the success of this research comes down to the commitment and skills of our research assistants. Whether mastering technical protocols, adapting to remote environments, or managing emotional weight, they carried out their work with seriousness and professionalism.

Tahiry, Coordinator for Evaluation, Learning, and Accountability, who led several groups of research assistants, put it this way: "Every time I visit the research assistants in the field, I feel so proud watching the way they conduct data collection. Their active listening and patience with the adolescent participants really stands out. They rigorously follow all technical and ethical research criteria. I can see that the training and support we've given them has paid off. It's proof that we are a professional team, and that the data we're collecting is quality data."

Ravaka, Research Project Management Assistant, also shared her perspective: "The research assistants have a solid grasp of data collection ethics. They know how to create a comfortable environment by choosing spaces where participants feel at ease. They stay neutral, avoiding any judgment. They respect the confidentiality of everyone's answers and their right to participate or not. And they build good relationships with local stakeholders, including school directors, teachers, parents, and students."

A huge thank you to all 50 of our research assistants! Thanks to your efforts and the quality of the data you collected, we can better protect adolescents from violence and advance comprehensive sexuality education across Madagascar.

A group of Research Assistants during initial training with the research PIs, Drs. Nancy Glass and Nancy Perrin