A Review of Approaches, Strategies and Ethical Considerations in Participatory Research With Children

Abstract

Participatory research can change the view of children from research subjects to active partners. As active partners, children can be recognized as agents who can contribute to different steps of the research process. However, “participatory research” is an umbrella term that covers both the collection of data with children and children’s participation in making decisions related to the research process. As such, it raises particular challenges for researchers. Based on a pragmatic ethics approach, we were inspired by the realist review methodology to synthesize the current literature, identify different strategies used to engage children aged 12 and below in participatory research, and analyze how they affect children’s active participation and the ethical aspects related to each. Fifty-seven articles were retained for inclusion in the review. A variety of strategies were used to involve children in the research process, including discussion groups, training/capacity-building sessions, photography and filming, children as data collectors and questionnaires. The most prevalent ethical considerations identified were related to power dynamics and strategies to facilitate children’s expression and foster the authenticity of children’s voices. Researchers should address these ethical considerations to actively involve children within the research process and prevent tokenistic participation. Active inclusion of children in research could include co-identifying with them how they want to be involved in knowledge production (if they want to) from the beginning of a project.

Engaging with Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review of Participatory Methods and Approaches in Research Informing the Development of Health Resources and Interventions

“…These included: logistic, collaboration and activity enablers; and logistic, engagement, power imbalance and ethical barriers (Table 8). These types of enablers and barriers have all been identified in previous literature as factors affecting engagement with children in research (Montreuil et al, 2021;Mulvale et al, 2016). Some authors provided solutions to the barriers they encountered.…”

Bienestar y tiempo libre de niños y niñas a través de un mapeo fotográfico participativo

“…La participación de niños/as fue un ingrediente esencial para el éxito de la investigación en el campamento. Andresen et al (2019), Montreuil et al (2021) y Stoecklin (2021) coinciden en destacar que la inclusión activa de niños/as en la investigación permite identificar con ellos/as cómo quieren participar en la producción de conocimientos. En este estudio al utilizar los mapas, las fotos y las entrevistas, los/as niños/as dialogaron sobre las oportunidades que tenían de pasar tiempo solos y con personas significativas de su barrio, escuela y familia en actividades de disfrute, juegos y cuidado asociadas a su bienestar personal y relacional.…”

“…Con los/as niños/as se realizó una reunión inicial para presentar el asentimiento informado. En este estudio con la técnica de mapeo fotográfico participativo, se trató de evitar la participación simbólica de niños/as, y abordar cuestiones relacionadas con la dinámica de poder adulto-niño/a (Montreuil et al, 2021). En este sentido, investigadoras y monitoras de la biblioteca facilitaron la expresión y la autenticidad de las voces infantiles durante el mapeo fotográfico participativo.…”

Children’s perspectives on being absorbed when reading fiction: A Q methodology study

“…Written informed consent was obtained from parents and repeated oral informed consent was provided by the participants. Ethical standards were met specific to participatory research with children (aged 12 and below), while addressing power dynamics and applying strategies to support children in expressing their authentic voices ( Montreuil et al, 2021 ). The research was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Arts, Charles University, clearance number UKFF/151685/2021.…”