Researching Children's Experiences
by Melissa Freeman PhD /
2008 / English / PDF
4.9 MB Download
This accessible book presents approaches to planning, carrying
out, and analyzing research projects with children and youth
from a social constructivist perspective. Rich, contextualized
examples illustrate how to elicit and understand the lived
experiences of diverse young people. Data-collection methods
discussed in depth include drawing, photography, the Internet,
games, interviewing, focus groups, journaling, and observation.
Also covered are strategies for fostering the active
contributions of children in the research process; navigating
consent and ethical issues; enlisting the support of parents,
school personnel, and other gatekeepers; and interpreting data.
Throughout, the authors emphasize the need to attend to the
social setting in which research with children is done.
End-of-chapter questions and exercises encourage readers to
reflect on taken-for-granted conceptions of children and
childhood and to try out the book’s ideas in their own research
projects.
This accessible book presents approaches to planning, carrying
out, and analyzing research projects with children and youth
from a social constructivist perspective. Rich, contextualized
examples illustrate how to elicit and understand the lived
experiences of diverse young people. Data-collection methods
discussed in depth include drawing, photography, the Internet,
games, interviewing, focus groups, journaling, and observation.
Also covered are strategies for fostering the active
contributions of children in the research process; navigating
consent and ethical issues; enlisting the support of parents,
school personnel, and other gatekeepers; and interpreting data.
Throughout, the authors emphasize the need to attend to the
social setting in which research with children is done.
End-of-chapter questions and exercises encourage readers to
reflect on taken-for-granted conceptions of children and
childhood and to try out the book’s ideas in their own research
projects.