1 - Introduction

Summary

There is increasing interest in children's and young people's participation in research, both as direct sources of data and through their active involvement in, and input into, research design and processes. The book is designed to be of practical assistance to researchers undertaking social research and evaluation with children and young people. It also provides research users (for example policy makers and practitioners), commissioners and others with an understanding of the key issues to consider when using or commissioning social research and evaluation with children and young people. It provides an overview of the theoretical and UK legal and policy context, and provides a practical overview of key ethical, methodological and other considerations, including the use of creative, inclusive and participative research approaches

In developing and writing this book we have drawn on our own extensive practical experience of social research and evaluation with a wide variety of children and young people, using a range of methods and methodologies. We also draw on the questions and issues raised by participants on the training courses we have been running for the Social Research Association for several years, particularly calls for clear, practical guidance. The book therefore includes examples and checklists to aid readers in understanding how to apply the points in this book to their own research and evaluation studies. While it is intended to be an introductory overview, this book provides extensive links to further reading and other sources of information.

As well as ensuring that children and young people generally get a voice, we both have a particular interest in capturing the realities and perceptions of more vulnerable and marginalised children and young people. This includes disabled children and young people, those growing up in poverty, those affected by adverse childhood experiences and others who are disadvantaged, ‘socially excluded’ and/or have additional needs. Therefore, this book has a focus on making research and evaluation with children and young people as inclusive, accessible and wide-reaching as possible in its coverage of recruitment, ethical issues, designing appropriate methods and tools, reporting and dissemination.

We also have a keen interest in, and extensive experience of, promoting and supporting the involvement of children and young people in all stages of the research process. The book therefore explores both children and young people as research subjects (as a source of data) and their involvement in the research process.