Involving children in educational research: researcher reflections on challenges

Abstract

Since the 1990s, childhood researchers have become increasingly creative in their efforts to understand children's experiences in as authentic a way as possible. This article draws on a review of research methodologies across a range of projects involving 0–13 year-old children and reports on interviews with researchers which revealed real-life responses to issues identified in the literature review: taking children seriously as research participants; the messiness of research with children; investing necessary time and resources; and respectful practices with children and communities including in disseminating research findings. We present researcher reflections on these issues and conclude by arguing for a methodological ‘fitness for purpose’ in research with children.

Keywords:

• children in research
• researcher reflections
• methodological challenges
• fitness for purpose

Notes

1. These respectively assert (i) children's right to express an opinion and to have that opinion taken into account; and (ii) children's right to information and freedom of expression.