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Doing Research with Children
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Doing Research with Children
A Practical Guide

Third Edition


November 2012 | 312 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd

The Third Edition of Doing Research with Children is practical introduction to the process of designing, doing and writing up research with children and young people. At the center is a commitment to engaging with children and young people as active research participants rather than as passive subjects. In this new edition, you'll find up to date information on the fast-changing political and ethical debates around research with children and young people as well as guidance on how to carry out research yourself.

Divided into three sections, the new edition covers:

  • The main theories and approaches of research with children and young people
  • Expanded guidance on research ethics
  • Techniques for conduction both qualitative and quantitative research
  • More on analyzing your research
  • A brand new chapter on communicating your research findings

This is a must-have guide for students and practitioners who are engaging in research with children and young people.

 
PART ONE: THE SPECIAL NATURE OF CHILDREN IN RESEARCH - THEORIES AND APPROACHES
 
Introduction to Research and Children and Young People: A Special Relationship
 
Theory for Research and Practice with Children and Young People
 
Theoretical Frameworks
 
PART TWO: DOING RESEARCH WITH CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE - REVIEWING, DESIGNING AND CONDUCTING RESEARCH WITH CHILDREN
 
Evaluating Research with Children and Young People
 
Designing and Doing Research with Children and Young People: The Importance of Questions
 
Quantitative Research with Children and Young People: Key Concepts
 
Quantitative Research with Children and Young People: Data Collection
 
Designing and Doing Qualitative Research with Children and Young People
 
Consultation and Participation with Children and Young People in Research
 
Ethics of Doing Research with Children and Young People
 
Communicating Research
 
Themes and Perspectives

'This is a much needed, important and thorough book on doing research with (rather than to) children. Such research requires very careful consideration, thinking and planning - all of which will be helped directly by this book.

The authors bring together different professional perspectives, and offer very practical help and guidance, with clear examples. Built upon evidence, theory and most importantly, direct experience, this updated book will be of value to anyone thinking about research with children, and particularly those carrying out such research projects for the first time' -
Irvine S. Gersch
Professor in Educational and Child Psychology, University of East London


'The authors are well qualified to set out the political and ethical issues regarding research with children and young people, arguing that it is a process done 'with' and not done 'to' them. This book is value for money, being useful for educational research up to Level 7 (Master’s Degree) across all educational sectors, early years to Further and Higher Education'

Nick Morgan-Baker
Specialist SpLD assessor, Additional Learning Support Manager at East Norfolk Sixth Form College and CPD e-learning Tutor with Dyslexia Action

Very useful for our Children and Young People dissertation students who are conducting primary research.

Miss Holly Joanna Magenta Scott
Education Department, Newcastle College
May 14, 2019

This is an easy to read text for anyone wanting to understand the basic principles of the research process and how this applies to children. There are plenty of contextual examples that are described in stages to aid understanding and support learning. I highly recommend this research text the student and qualified children’s nurses.

Miss Katie White
Department of Children's Nursing, London South Bank University
October 30, 2017

the section on the ethics of doing research with children and young people is exhaustive but not pedantic, and I believe it can be use within undergraduate research projects

Dr federico farini
Education , University Campus Suffolk
August 3, 2015

Doing research with children as active participants and not just doing research about children is one of the great challenges of our time. This book addresses the main theories, research ethics and different techniques in an excellent way. It will especially be very helpful for researchers who want to conduct research with children for the first time. It gives a clear picture of designing such research, illustrated with good practical examples.

Dr Jan Grobbelaar
Post-graduate faculty - Practical Theology, South African Theological Seminary
August 11, 2015

Useful book for undergraduate early years students

Miss Lorna Wardle
School of Education, Nottingham Trent University
June 12, 2015

This is a good resource with a comprehensive introduction and step by step guide for those thinking about about conducting research with children.

The author has included a range of examples and templates to assist new researchers.

Miss Syreeta Charles-Cole
Education, Carshalton College
May 1, 2015

I have recommended this book to level 5 Early Years students who are embarking on research for the first time. It explains the different methods for qualitative and quantitative research, how to analyse data, explores ethics and why theory is important in an early years research project.

Mrs Jaqueline Braithwaite
Centre for Childhood Studies, Stockport College
April 29, 2015

This is a superb textbook! What I really love about it is that it is grounded in an understanding of educational psychology theories and the role of philosophical assumptions in research (which few books and courses emphasise enough). Also great to have information about all the stages of designing a child-oriented research project, with concrete examples, as well as great advice on ethics and dissemination. A clear, accessible and highly-informative text authored by experienced practitioners with strong empathy for the children. Highly recommended!

Dr Florentina Taylor
Education, University of York
December 15, 2014

Sample Materials & Chapters

Chapter 1

Journal Articles


Anne D Greig

Jayne Taylor

Tommy MacKay

For instructors

Purchasing options

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ISBN: 9780857028860
£41.99
ISBN: 9780857028853
£129.00

SAGE Research Methods is a research methods tool created to help researchers, faculty and students with their research projects. SAGE Research Methods links over 175,000 pages of SAGE’s renowned book, journal and reference content with truly advanced search and discovery tools. Researchers can explore methods concepts to help them design research projects, understand particular methods or identify a new method, conduct their research, and write up their findings. Since SAGE Research Methods focuses on methodology rather than disciplines, it can be used across the social sciences, health sciences, and more.