The ethics of participatory research with children

Abstract

This paper argues that ethical problems in research involving direct contact with children can be overcome by using a participatory approach. A study of children's participation in decisions when they are looked after is described in terms of how a view of the`social child' (James, 1995) shaped the approach to establishing contact with children, the choice of topics and methods of communication which were used, and the way in which children were given opportunities to interpret the data for themselves. The paper concludes with the suggestion that a participatory approach can also assist with reliability and validity. #

Ethics in child research: rights, reason and responsibilities

“…At the same time that research ethics became increasingly incorporated into the research agenda advanced by child researchers (see Thomas and O'Kane 1998, Lindsay 2000, Bostock 2002), international and national human rights instruments continued to develop with worldwide endorsement. Children's rights, reflected in numerous international and domestic legal instruments, are rights that afford special consideration to children on the basis of their unique and vulnerable status.…”

Ética na pesquisa com crianças: ausências e desafios

“…O ESTADO DA ARTE NA DISCUSSÃO CIENTÍFICA SOBRE ÉTICA NA PESQUISA COM CRIANÇAS Considerando o percurso que tem vindo a ser construído nos estudos da criança, em que se valoriza um papel ativo e uma centralidade da criança na pesqui sa, há um aspeto que parece reunir consenso entre os investigadores: métodos e técnicas eticamente informadas adicionam valor à pesquisa e, ao mesmo tempo, a solidez metodológica pode melhorar as dimensões éticas na relação de pesquisa com as crianças (Thomas;O'Kane, 1998). Os trilhos desse percurso foram dando conta de alguns passos que, a esse propósito, assumiram visibilidade significativa no campo da ética na investigação sobre e com crianças.…”

Ethical issues, research and vulnerability: gaining the views of children and young people in residential care

“…Emond (2005a) also emphasises discussion in relation to limits on confidentiality. On the other hand, Thomas and O'Kane (1998) argue that it is 'important for us to be able to give children an assurance that we would not repeat what they told us to other people, and for the children to know that they could trust us' and that procedures for dealing with disclosures 'would be an inappropriate intrusion into the relationship between research and subject' (Thomas and O'Kane, 1998, p. 340). They also say, however, that if there was information of harm to a child then it would be the researchers' responsibility to support the child in telling someone, with the child's consent.…”

“…In addition to the issues outlined above, consideration needs to be given to the more practical aspects of the research, for example: timing of visits, identifying where interviews or workshops might take place; who will be available to support children and young people. Establishing good relationships with the residential managers and staff is crucial in this process, and, in the case of the physical restraint study, the researcher's experience as a residential child care practitioner and manager was important in establishing the credentials of the research (see Thomas and O'Kane, 1998). Access also has to be granted by the social work department which has supervisory responsibility for the child, and this may involve discussions with a number of individuals: research staff, children's services managers, and the child's social worker.…”