Understanding Research with Children and Young People

Martyn Hammersley is an emeritus professor of educational and social research at The Open University, UK. He has carried out research in the sociology of education and the sociology of the media. However, much of his work has been concerned with the methodological issues surrounding social enquiry. He has written several books including (with Paul Atkinson) Ethnography: Principles in Practice (fourth edition, Routledge, 2019), The Dilemma of Qualitative Method (Routledge, 1989), The Politics of Social Research (SAGE, 1995), Reading Ethnographic Research (second edition, Longman, 1997), Taking Sides in Social Research (Routledge, 2000), Educational Research, Policymaking and Practice, (London, Paul Chapman/SAGE, 2002), Questioning Qualitative Inquiry (SAGE, 2008), Methodology Who Needs It? (SAGE, 2011), The Myth of Research-Based Policy and Practice (SAGE, 2013), The Limits of Social Science (SAGE, 2014), and The Concept of Culture (Palgrave Macmillan, 2019). Website: http://martynhammersley.wordpress.com/Martin Robb is a Lecturer in the Faculty of Health and Social Care at The Open University. He is co-editor of Relating Experience: stories from health and social care (Routledge, 2005); Communication, Relationships and Care (Routledge, 2004); and Understanding Health and Social Care (SAGE, 1998), and has published articles and book chapters on a wide range of topics, with a recent focus on issues of fatherhood, masculinity and childcare. Before joining the OU he worked in informal and community education projects with adults 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.′

• IntroductionSECTION 1: CRITICAL ISSUES IN RESEARCH WITH CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLEImages of Childhood and their Influence on Research - Mary KellettWhat is Research with Children and Young People? - Sandy Fraser, Rosie Flewitt and Martyn HammersleyDesigning Research for Different Purposes - Victoria CooperDoing Qualitative Research with Children and Young People - Sue BucknallEthics - Priscilla AldersonSECTION 2: METHODOLOGICAL APPROACHES TO RESEARCH WITH CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLEIntroduction Research Design - Martyn HammersleyParticipant Observation - Heather MontgomeryInterviews - Rosie FlewittWorking with Texts, Images and Artefacts - Helen Hearn and Pat Thomson Methodological Ideas - Martyn HammersleySECTION 3: THE REALITY OF RESEARCH WITH CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLEIntroductionPerspectives on Parental Involvement: a Discussion of Practitioner Research - Nicola SmithDeveloping and Adapting the Mosaic Approach - Alison ClarkInventing Adulthoods: a Qualitative Longitudinal Study of Growing Up - Sheila Henderson and Rachel Thomson Young Lives: Reflections on Qualitative Research in Education within a Longitudinal International Study - Caine RollestonSECTION 4: ENGAGING AUDIENCES AND DISSEMINATING FINDINGS: THE IMPACT OF RESEARCHIntroductionDisseminating Research: Shaping the Conversation - Martin RobbAchieving Policy Impact: Researching Children′s Issues at EU level - Sandy RuxtonTransformative Dialogues: the Impact of Participatory Research on Practice - Chris Pascal and Tony BertramEngaging Children and Young People in Research - Alex Mann, Joseph Liley and Mary Kellett