Child-centred research methods
There is growing recognition that the views of children needs to be brought more to the centre of the research process. Speaking to children directly acknowledges their right to express their views on all matters concerning them, as laid down in Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC, 1989).
In the ICCR, we recognize children’s competence and agency, and aim to explore children’s own explanations of their lives. We embrace the methodological shift, which has involved the emergence of innovative, ‘task-based’ (Punch, 2002) research methodologies, the adaptation of more traditional methods (e.g. observation and questionnaires), and the use of multi-method approaches.
Thus, a range of research techniques with children have been employed in some of the research projects conducted here: the use of Q methodology (using foods); an activity book; and the employment of board and post-box activities, to facilitate the completion of questionnaires.
