Children and Research

Code

LAWW4129

School

Law

Level

4

Credits

10

Semesters

Autumn UK

Summary

The module considers a number of issues in relation to children and research. Sessions will focus on ethical considerations for research with children, the issues that arise in relation to the collection and retention of data in research with children, and the role that children’s rights should play in terms of the design and implementation of research with children. 
 

• Key concepts and approaches linked to researching childhood. 
• Research ethics as they pertain to children and young people. 
• Data collection and retention in research related to children and young people.
• Critiques, strengths and weaknesses of research methodologies. 
• Designing and planning your own research strategy for research with children and young people.
• Students will be taught from a range of disciplinary perspectives.
• Students will experience a range of learning methods including workshops, multimedia and group work. 

Target Students

Module only available to PGR students who have taken SOCI4073.

Co-requisites

Modules you must take in the same academic year, or have taken in a previous year, to enrol in this module:

• Foundations in Qualitative Research Methods (SOCI4073)

Classes

This module is taught in an intensive block with non-standard timetabling. It will be delivered in 4 blocks of approximately 3 hours over two days with morning and afternoon sessions on each day.

Assessment

• 100% Coursework: 2000 words

Assessed by end of autumn semester

Educational Aims

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the module, students should be able to demonstrate the following learning outcomes: 

a) Knowledge and understanding of 

• the principles of research design and strategy in the context of children and young people. 
• the ethical, social, political and rights concerns that are implicit in a range of methodological approaches dealing with children and young people. 
• challenges and solutions that arise in relation to data collection and retention in the context of research in relation to and with children.

b) Intellectual skills: 

• ability to adopt a reflective self-critical approach to research with children and young people. 
• ability to appreciate the range of alternative approaches to research and research ethics in the context of work with children and young people.
• ability to critically assess research methodologies.
• ability to develop theoretically informed justifications for adopted research designs.
• ability to identify and address the logistical issues that may be faced when carrying out research-related activity with children and young people in different contexts.

c) Professional practical skills: 

• ability to engage with multifaceted research problems and questions. 
• ability to identify and overcome issues arising in relation to collecting, handling and storing data related to children.
• develop capabilities for managing, conducting, evaluating and disseminating research. 
• application of knowledge to own research context.

d) Transferable (key) skills: 

• a critical, applied, problem solving and analytical approach to research design. 
• formal and informal communication skills: in writing, discussion and presentation.
• fostering of a flexible approach to their own research.

Conveners

• Professor Aoife Nolan