Understanding Research with Children and Young People

′There is no single or right way to do childhood and youth research, but this useful book provides readers with essential insights into many of the options, shedding light on the various purposes, practicalities, merits and ethical considerations. It is a great starting point for anyone wanting to do research that is respectful of children and young people.′ -- Melanie Nind, Professor of Education
′Written by authors whose backgrounds exemplify the multi-disciplinary nature of Childhood Studies, this book includes excellent examples of research projects which provide a valuable model for anyone interested in research with children and young people.′ -- Sue Robson, Principal Lecturer and Subject Leader for Early Childhood Studies
Fabulous book that takes students right through the whole process from start to finish! Definitely an essential book for Early Childhood Studies students. -- Dr Katherine Cartmell * drupal *
A recommended text to our MSc students doing research with children and young people -- Dr Vincent Icheku * drupal *
This is a valuable course book for introducing learners to the methologies and ethical issues of research with young children. -- Lynette Morris * drupal *
This is a valuable course book for introducing learners to the methologies and ethical issues of research with young children. -- Lynette Morris * drupal *
Somewhat practical throughout for anyone considering ′doing′ research with children and young people. -- Miss Alyson Lewis * drupal *
A really great research text that explains ideas clearly. Covers ideas in depth. -- Miss Claire Morse * drupal *
This is a useful and comprehensive resource for students carrying out primary research involving children and young people needing sound reference and guidance. Makes very good use of examples, discussing the practicalities and realities of doing research together with the issues of navigating the ethical challenges that emerge. -- Mr Cris Mepham * drupal *
An excellent textbook full of useful insights into the many variables of childhood research. This is a must publication for those starting out with their research involving this population group. -- Mr Dominic Cunliffe * drupal *
Informative and ethical considerations to the fore! -- Mr Eamonn Mitchell * drupal *
Interesting book to read, very well articulated and organised. Student doing research projects will find this book very useful. -- Mr EZE EZE * drupal *
This book is going to be so valuable for students carrying out research in early years. There is a clear focus on early years approaches and methodologies with plenty of content. -- Mr Mark Wilkins * drupal *
A very solid text that gives useful and appropriate guidance -- Mr Patrick Leahy * drupal *
This book has been highly recommended for use by any colleagues working with children and young people is a variety of settings. Great guidance on how to approach practical research and the ethical and other considerations of such research. -- Mr Robert Hooson * drupal *
A really exciting look into research in the sector, key reading for students of early years, childhood and early education who are both undertaking and/or interpreting research in the field. -- Mr Steven Burton * drupal *
Very helpful text to assist students with the completion of their MA dissertations. -- Mr Warren Smith * drupal *
This book is very useful and comprehensive. We are currently refreshing our module on methodology, so I will be recommending that we draw on this book as we do this, as well as recommending it to students. -- Mrs Abigail Hackett * drupal *
Really useful for those carrying out research in EY settings. Clear and accessible for first time researchers. -- Mrs Caroline Wright * drupal *
very useful book with clear guidance to those carrying out their first research project in early years settings. -- Mrs Caroline Wright * drupal *
This book has supported a Dissertation student I have been supervising. It has helped guide, especially around common challenges, different strategies and ethical issues.

It is a great starting point and it will be used again to support students who are embarking on a reserch project. -- Mrs Eve Allen * drupal *
This is a favourite! -- Mrs Holmfridur Arnadottir * drupal *
An accessible book for both new and established researchers of children and young people. The first section encourages the researcher to consider a range of issues before embarking on their research journey, providing secure foundations for further explorations. The section focusing on research design reinforces the importance of having a secure rationale for the research topic and includes a useful chapter on participant observation for the early years researcher. The second section looks at the reality of research and it particularly helpful in preparing the researcher using real life case studies, and includes a chapter on the mosaic approach and also the importance of disseminating findings. -- Mrs Janet Harvell * drupal *
Easy to understand and wholly relevant for Introduction to research methods. This book is easy to read and relevant to the process of using children and young people as research participants. -- Mrs Julie Clarkson * drupal *
An interesting and useful text with very current perspectives on issues around research with C&YP. The introductory chapter sets the social context of childhood which fits with the ethos of study here at NTU. The chapter on ethics as particularly clear and thought provoking, as was the chapter on perspectives on parental involvement. The chapter on interviews was extremely practical and the concluding reflections on dissemination, influencing policy and transformation were challenging and provoking for all current and future practitioners.
I will be recommending this as additional reading for students who wish to develop as reflective and responsive researchers -- Mrs Julie Kent * drupal *
This book was a good text to recommend to any students studying towards qualifications where children are considered. Public health nurses will benefit from having an overview of this book and I would certainly recommend this text be added to lists for courses. -- Mrs Lisa Paduch * drupal *
A useful book giving good examples of research topics. Good discussion on ethical issues and challenges when working with young children. -- Mrs LYNN DUTTON * drupal *
Excellent text with lots of lens to consider when working with children during the research process. -- Mrs Michelle Rogers * drupal *
It is a very interesting coursebook which helps srudents to understand that research with children and young people need a lot of ethical considerations. That it is also not that easy to conduct research with children and young people. I will highly recommend this book to the master students who think about doing research with children and young people -- Mrs Ritie Van Rooijen * drupal *
This text makes interesting reading; presenting, and questioning various viewpoints. This gives the reader an insight to various perspectives of education, while also, putting these theories into context. The notes and recommendations for reading at the end of each chapter are very useful. -- Mrs Ruth Davies * drupal *
This is an excellent resource with a plethora of information to guide students through the research process with children. -- Mrs Sarah Loud * drupal *
An excellent text that provides a wide range of useful examples that clearly reflect the editor’s wealth of experience and background in research with children and young people. The book provides a thoughtful approach covering critical issues which students need to be aware of and engage with when thinking about research in the early years of childhood. The text is a useful resource in practice as it deals with the practicalities and realities of doing research with children and young people.
-- Mrs Sharon Colilles * drupal *
A very helpful book which covers all aspects of research. Ideal for anyone looking to conduct research in education. -- Mrs Sue Fraser * drupal *
This book will clearly help the learners with their research project and I will be recommending for our Learning Centre -- Mrs Sue Kinsella * drupal *
This is a great book for part-time adult learners who are nervous of completing their final dissertation, and I have ordered multiple copies for the library. -- Ms Jane Melvin * drupal *
A useful read for some of the students who will be taking their teaching research to a higher level -- Ms Jane Noble * drupal *
Already this book has been used by several early years students. The feedback has been positive with comments such as informative, easy to use, clearly presented and interesting.
As a tutor, I have been able to use it to help clarify points, establish strategies and use information to help promote plans for research ideas. -- Ms Jane Stevens * drupal *
This is an excellent text that supports the principals of effective pedagogy. Essential for anyone working with young children. -- Ms Jill Harrison * drupal *
This will be a very useful book for many of our students who will be carrying out primary research involving children and young people. The editors and contributors have a helpful and thoughtful approach with a wealth of experience and background in research and more particularly research with children and young people.
The book covers critical issues which students need to be aware of and engage with when thinking about research and especially if carrying out research with children and young people. This will be a useful resource in practice since it also deals with the practicalties and realities of doing research with children and young people. -- Ms Sue Mills * drupal *
The decision to consider a specific text around the the theme of research with children and young people occurred on seeing this text in the on-line catalogue. I teach across a range of modules with students at various stages of their academic career from FD to Prof.Doc and find that many students are working in health, social care and related research fields. I was intrigued to see if this text would prove a useful addition to reading lists and have been extremely impressed with the quality and content in this collected volume. I′ve ′tried out′ selected student groups and staff members with this text and we are all agreed that it is an excellent resource for those new to research and in particular, highly valuable for students embarking on research in settings where they will be working with children and young people. One Prof-Doc student with extensive experience of early years whom I asked to read sections of the text reported that it was an ′essential text′. As such information will be circulated to colleagues for inclusion in their reading lists; and in my specialist lectures with various groups exploring research into youth and children′s needs, I will include this title as a recommended resource. -- Professor Margaret Greenfields * drupal *
This is a very good book on researching with children and young people. Having chapters by different researchers is a strength as we pick up the different perspectives of the authors. I particularly liked the chapters on parental involvement and policy impact. These are not often found in research methods books. I think my students will find the chapters on ethics and research methodologies most useful. This book will definitely be on my recommended reading lists. -- Shirley Larkin * drupal *