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A Child Rights-Informed, Developmental Psychological Perspective on Children’s Participation in Research
Elia Psouni ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-sonnet-5-5This book chapter looks at how children can take part in research, especially through participatory approaches in which children act as active contributors or co-researchers. It links this to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which says decisions about children should rest on solid evidence and that children have a right to be heard. It argues that the right level of participation depends on the study's questions and framework, and that methods need to fit children's cognitive and socioemotional maturity. It discusses whether participatory approaches can improve the quality, relevance and usefulness of research findings.
Key points
- The UNCRC calls for decisions about children to rest on solid, up-to-date evidence and guarantees children's right to be heard.
- Participatory research involves children as active contributors or co-researchers.
- Appropriate participation depends on the study's questions and epistemological framework.
- Developmentally sensitive methods are needed that respect children's cognitive and socioemotional maturity.
- Participatory research can show how everyday interactions and institutional practices shape children's experiences, beyond legal rhetoric.
Limitations
Only the abstract is available, so the chapter's detailed arguments, examples and any empirical evidence cannot be assessed. No specific country or setting is identified.
Abstract
Abstract Several important societal issues and corresponding areas of enquiry within the social sciences concern children. The UNCRC demands that decisions about children rest on solid, up-to-date evidence and guarantees their right to be heard. Participatory research furthers this by involving children as active contributors or so-called co-researchers. However, appropriate children’s participation depends on the study’s questions and epistemological framework, requiring developmentally sensitive methods that honour their cognitive and socioemotional maturity to ensure meaningful engagement and genuine insight. The insights gained from participatory research contribute to a more nuanced understanding of children’s participation beyond legal rhetoric, highlighting the everyday interactions and institutional practices that shape children’s experiences. The focus of this chapter is children’s participation in research through participatory research forms. The chapter problematizes and discusses whether and how participatory research approaches may enhance the quality, relevance, and applicability of findings, contributing to trust in scientific knowledge production.