Little Voices and Big Ideas: Lessons Learned from Children about Research

Article Overview

  • Title: Little Voices and Big Ideas: Lessons Learned from Children about Research

  • Authors:

    • Tim Moore, BA, M Child&Adol Welf, M Youth Studies

    • Morag McArthur, Dip.Welfare, BSocSci (Hons), Postgrad Cert Higher Ed Teaching, PhD

    • Debbie Noble-Carr, BSW

  • Institution: Institute of Child Protection Studies, ACU National, Canberra, Australia

  • Publication Year: 2008

  • Licensing: Open Access under the Creative Commons Attribution License

Abstract

  • Engagement of children in social research increased over the past 30 years.

  • Focus of the paper is on children's observations from a project investigating family homelessness.

  • Emphasis on what is important in conducting research with children and how their views influenced project design.

Keywords

  • children, ethics, methodology, tools

Acknowledgments

  • Thanks to children in the Children’s Reference Group: H, J, J, R, T, Z, and their parents.

  • Funding source: Office for Children, Youth and Family Support, Australian Capital Territory’s Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services.

  • Artwork and photographs included with children’s consent.

Introduction

  • Context: Increased interest in children's lives, experiences, and views over the past 20 years, driven by:

    • Children’s rights movement

    • Ratification of UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1989

  • Key Changes:

    • Shift from viewing children merely as subjects to recognizing them as active contributors to society.

    • The new sociology of childhood promotes appreciation of children’s experiences.

  • Challenges for Researchers: Reflect on conceptualization of children and methods of engaging them ethically in research.

Background of the Study

  • Study Timeframe: Conducted from March 2006 to February 2007.

  • Funding Body: Australian Capital Territory’s Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services.

  • Research Question: What do service systems need to understand regarding children's perceptions of and experiences with homelessness for better outcomes for homeless families?

  • Context for Research:

    • Addressing lack of focus on children's perspectives in homelessness studies primarily dominated by adult accounts.

  • Methodology:

    • Qualitative approach designed to understand children's experiences and the complexities of their social situations.

    • Involvement of children and key stakeholders (parents, service providers) through interviews and art activities to derive findings.

  • Participants:

    • Eighteen children aged 6-14 and seven young people aged 15-21.

    • 8 identified as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander; 14 male and 11 female; all had a history of homelessness.

Engaging Children in Research on Sensitive Topics

  • Recognizing importance of children’s direct voices in research.

  • Child-centered Research Approach:

    • Mechanism to understand children's unique perspectives and experiences.

    • Challenges of effective and ethical engagement discussed.

Children’s Reference Group (CRG)

  • Concept: Children as active participants in the research process instead of passive subjects.

  • Setup:

    • Involvement of a reference group to advise on research questions and methodologies.

    • CRG members assisted primarily in understanding how to consult children regarding their sensitive experiences of homelessness.

  • Recruitment of Members:

    • Families approached by workers in the homelessness sector with an information brochure.

    • Parental consent required, ensuring transparency and involvement.

Workshops and Data Collection

  • Workshops: Two workshops held to gather feedback and develop an understanding of children’s preferences for consultation.

    • First Workshop: Focused on creating a comfortable environment for discussions, including strategies for conducting sensitive interviews.

    • Second Workshop: Reviewed and tested research tools with children’s feedback applied to refine the interview process.

  • Data Gathering Methods:

    • Semi-structured interviews, art activities, and group discussions to triangulate findings.

Importance of a Safe and Comfortable Environment for Children

  • Key theme of safety and comfort discussed by the CRG.

  • Children’s Concerns: Fear of speaking to adults, especially regarding sensitive issues.

  • Suggestions for Comfort:

    • Importance of clear communication regarding the purpose of questions and emphasizing respect for children’s input.

    • Recommendations included creating child-friendly spaces filled with toys and familiar content.

Rapport Building and Empathy in Research

  • Establishing trust and rapport is crucial for effective communication with child participants.

  • Researcher-Child Interaction:

    • Researchers encouraged to familiarize themselves with children to ease discomfort.

    • Activities initiated with fun interactions and games to foster comfort.

Addressing Children’s Rights in Research

  • Children must understand their rights when participating in research.

  • Rights Declaration: Each child received a page outlining their rights, including privacy, confidentiality, and autonomy.

  • Empowerment Through Rights: Children expressed appreciation towards understanding their rights, with some demonstrating increased confidence and self-advocacy.

Consent and Participation

  • The distinction between parental consent and a child's assent to participate discussed.

  • Participation Empowerment: Children were given choices on how to engage in the research, allowing a broader understanding of their autonomy.

Addressing Power Imbalances

  • Discussions centered on the power dynamics between researchers (adults) and children.

  • Mitigation Strategies: Using child-friendly environments, allowing children control during interviews (e.g., managing tape recorders) to alleviate power differentials.

Confidentiality and Sharing Experiences

  • Importance of respecting children’s ownership over their personal stories and responses during research.

  • Complexities of Confidentiality: Balancing confidentiality with the moral obligation to report safety concerns.

Conclusion and Learnings

  • The project enhanced understanding of engaging children ethically and effectively in the research process.

  • Significant findings regarding the impact of children's voices on policy and service delivery in homelessness.

  • Challenges acknowledged in implementing child-centered methodologies requiring time, resources, and trained research staff.

  • Child Perspective: Children acknowledged the importance of their involvement in discussions affecting their lives and stressed the significance of feeling valued and understood during research.

References

  • Detailed academic references provided throughout the document, supporting the methodology, findings, and discussions in the article.

Figures

  • Figures referenced such as children's artwork showcasing their experiences (identified by age and creative input) throughout the narrative, providing visual representation of themes discussed.