Cartoon by Don Mayne www.researchcartoons.com
In some ways recruiting/seeking as group might seem ideal: more time/resource efficient; avoids putting individuals under pressure; and could result in a block of individuals giving their consent. BUT as Don’s cartoon shows: Peer-group-pressure might undermine just how voluntary the consent will be; there can sometimes have risks associated with being known as someone who is ineligible to participate; the process of declining to participate should be too obvious if the previous two factors are a consideration. Is group consent always inappropriate? No. Are there situations where it shouldn’t be used. Definitely.