Young People and Research

Traditionally children have been seen as the objects of research. More recently they have been afforded a more participatory role in studies aimed at gaining their views. More recently still, their involvement has developed further into roles of consultation in the design stages of some research, and data collection in others. We know that the perspective of the researcher(s) influences every stage of a project, and hence shapes it overall. Equipping and empowering young people to design and conduct their own research is in its embryonic stage and has the potential to yield innovative projects and new insights. Until now, it has never been done in residential child care.

This project is funded by NCH, and has just received ethical approval. We are in the process of identifying suitable units with young people interested in participating, with an anticipated start date of late 2007 or 2008.