Compensation is intended to compensate participants and or peers for time, inconvenience, discomfort and other research-related burdens (not risks).

Other types of payments include

• Reimbursement payments are refunds to participants for direct research-related expenses.
• Incentive payments encourage participation either intentionally, when payment is given over and above compensation and reimbursement, or inadvertently, when payment unintentionally exceeds direct costs and burdens; and appreciation payments are bonuses given after participation to thank participants for their efforts.

Payments can be in the form of:

• Cash – the advantages of providing cash are its simple, convenient and no-prescriptive to the participants. The disadvantages are that cash on site is a security risk, is easily taken from the participant by others (strangers, family), can be used for items such as alcohol, etc.
• Voucher – advantages are that thy are easy to issue, reduces security risk, can be restricted to exclude alcohol and cigarettes (NB for adolescents). The disadvantages are that vouchers can be taken (stolen or aggressively snatched) by others, vouchers need to be relevant to the needs of the adolescents and be redeemable from a shop that is local and appropriate (e.g. local grocery store or airtime).
• Other non-monetary incentives – Food is an important incentive, but it must be suited to the adolescent palate.