Post on 17-Jul-2015
What If….
– What if they don’t say anything?– What if they just walk off when I am talking?– What if they cant understand what I ask them?– What if I can’t understand their replies?
Research methods
• Participant Observation• Open-ended questions• Focus group and “activity days”• Use of visual and task-based techniques • Etc……
Research methods
• Participant Observation– Involves social interaction
between researcher and the other person.
– Watching, listening, reflecting and engaging with children in conversation.
– The best method for children in age 5-6 years old.
– Researcher establishes relationship with the child.
Research methods
• Open-ended questions– Who, what, where, why, when and how– Tell more about that– What happened next?
Research methods
• Focus group and “activity days”– Very popular method– Used for generating ideas
• Use of visual and task-based activities– Research is not only about talking– Not all children like to talk! – Children don’t like to give long answers
Visual and task based techniques
• Drawing and other art forms– Most popular & effective
technique– Gives children time to think,
the drawing can be changed or added
– “Your favorite place”, “what do you want to change to”, “past, present and future”
– Good starting point for one-on-one interviews
Visual and task based techniques
• Maps– Uses to describe neighborhood or family members– Provide rich data – Daily activities
Visual and task based techniques
• Photography– Access to children’s private worlds on a 24 hours
basis – Giving children a camera– Analyzing the photos with children “why this
photo? What it can represent”
Visual and task based techniques
• Spider diagram– Identifying main sources of support– Identify people that were important for the child
Visual and task based techniques
• Role Plays and Drama– Expose events, life stories or
issues that concern children – Researcher need to be
careful with this technique – Children with less
confidence may feel uncomfortable