What is the Difference Between Consent and Assent?

The main difference between consent and assent lies in the competency of the individual providing the agreement to participate in a research study or activity. Here are the key distinctions:

• Consent: Consent can only be given by individuals who have reached the legal age of consent, which is typically 18 years old in the U.S.. It is a process by which a participant or legal guardian voluntarily confirms their understanding of all aspects of the research that are relevant to the subject's participation after being informed.
• Assent: Assent is the agreement of someone who is not able to give legal consent to participate in the activity. For example, a child aged 7-17 or a cognitively impaired person may provide assent if they are capable of making an informed decision. Assent must involve an affirmative agreement to participate, not simply a lack of disagreement.

In research involving children, assent from the child subjects is required, as well as permission from the parent or guardian. Both consent and assent are essential components of conducting ethical research, as they ensure that participants understand the implications of taking part in the study and can voluntarily choose to participate.

Comparative Table: Consent vs Assent

The main difference between consent and assent lies in the legal capacity of the individual providing the agreement to participate in research or other activities. Here is a table highlighting the key differences between consent and assent:

In summary, consent is provided by individuals who have the legal capacity to give permission to participate in research or other activities, while assent is given by individuals who are not legally able to provide informed consent. Both consent and assent involve informing the individual about the nature, anticipated risks, and potential benefits of the activity, but consent is legally-valid, whereas assent serves as an ethical accommodation.