What are the pros and cons of child-led rights based research?

Child-led rights based research is a process where children themselves identify their research needs, set their research framework, design the methodology, develop and administer the tools, consolidate and analyse the findings, use the information to improve their lives and own the information.

Children have ownership of the research by participating in child-led research. They can use the findings to advocate for their rights.Findings of the research is a mean to empower children to become child protagonists. Child protagonists are children who act on his/ her/ their own behalf to improve their situation.

Child protection is a key issue in conducting child led research. Child researchers could be targets for harm. Adult child-led research mentor should introduce child protection strategy to child researchers. It is necessary to do a risk analysis with the participation of child researchers and develop strategies to overcome real or perceived risks.

Maturity of children to understand the concepts and conduct the research is a factor that should be considered when introducing research methodology.

Obtaining consent from adults to use children as researchers is a necessity. This is an issue when using children without adequate care (i.e., street children, orphan children) as researchers.

Tags: child-led, research

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jennifer Tang on February 22, 2010 at 8:34pm

Child-led research, and even children as researchers (who may not have chosen the area of inquiry) is very interesting! Do you have any examples? Tools to guide both adults and children in the process? How has research conducted in this way been received?

Permalink Reply by Audrey Fernando on June 28, 2011 at 7:43pm

In Kuala Lumpur

I took up a course of 10 sessions in The Right to be Properly Researched. An amazing and delightful eye opener for me. I am convinced that children as subjects of research (particpating in research where they are given the opportunity to express their views personally) is the way to go. The manual (box of 10 booklets) is one tool. Knowing Children Thailand also came up with the research instruments to enable all children, literate or otherwise, to participate in research confidently. The contact person is Judith Ennew, now residing in Kuala Lumpur.