Evaluation Study of Web-based Resource for Youth

This study will evaluate DigiKnowIt News, a web-based resource to educate youth about pediatric clinical research. Youth will be randomly assigned to one of three groups (1. Intervention Version A; 2) Intervention Version B; 3) Wait-list control).

Compared to the high numbers of clinical trials with adults, there are far fewer clinical trials with children and adolescents; highlighting the need for more clinical trials with pediatric populations. Lacking in the area of pediatric clinical research are resources to educate children and adolescents about clinical research in fun, interactive, and developmentally appropriate ways. Thus, a web-based resource, DigiKnowIt News, was developed for youth aged 8 to 14 years to educate youth about participating in pediatric clinical trials. The web-based resource includes video spotlights, investigations, and electronic comic books. The purpose of this study is to conduct a randomized controlled trial to determine the effectiveness of the web-based resource and examine its impact on youths' knowledge about pediatric clinical trials, self-efficacy about making decisions about participation in clinical research, and positive attitudes towards participation.

Youth will be asked to complete a version of DigiKnowIt News that includes investigations, comics, and spotlight videos that focus on four topic areas related to participating in clincial trials. Version A will include an additional topic area.

Youth will be asked to complete a version of DigiKnowIt News that includes investigations, comics, and spotlight videos that focus on four topic areas related to participating in clincial trials. Version B will include an additional topic area (different than in Version A).

DigiKnowIt News is an online, interactive, multimedia web-based resource designed to educate youth about participating in clinical trials. Youth will learn general information about clinical trials, their rights in a clinical trial, the good and not so good of participating in clinical trials, communication with others during a clinical trial, and specific types of procedures used in clinical trials (i.e., needles, scans). DigiKnowIt News is web-based and youth can complete it at home, on their own time.

Questions will assess youth's factual knowledge about clinical research using a multiple choice format.

Questions will assess youth's attitudes toward pediatric clinical research on a 3-point Likert rating scale.

Questions will assess youth's perceptions about the quality of communication in their parent-child relationship using a 5-point Likert scale.

Questions will ask youth to reflect on their experiences with the web-based resource using 5-point Likert scales.

Inclusion Criteria: Within the ages of 8 and 14 years of age Exclusion Criteria: Does not speak English fluently, does not have access to a computer or tablet with internet connection, and or has participated in a clinical trial after kindergarten.