Chapter 9: Ethical, Narrative, and Projective Processes in Research Interviews with Young Children

This chapter focuses on individual research interviews with young children between the ages of three and eight. It addresses the practical, ethical and challenging aspects of research when the levels of ability in self-expression in the child limited by their age. The author has a wide background of qualitative research with children and adults and accepts that no chapter can explain everything about interviewing children. The range of references provided however, will enable keen researchers to read further on the range of issues explored in this chapter.

Interviewing young children for research is an enjoyable and worthwhile activity. Several authors express enthusiasm for involving the young child in research. Irwin and Johnson (2005) for example, suggest that children as young as four years “can provide important insights into their daily lives and health experiences” (p. 822). Certainly research with children is now seen as providing valuable insights into all aspects of their lives. Children are seen as active participants and given roles that make them pivotal in the direction and focus of the research. There is a large range of studies reported in the literature where children have been invited to participate actively in the research in ways that recognize their competence and free will. (Danby, Ewing, & Thorpe, 2011; Einarsdottir, Dockett, & Perry, 2009).