Sensitive topics in social research involving children

Powell, MA; McArthur, M; Chalmers, J; Graham, A; Moore, T; Spriggs, M; Taplin, S

Sensitive topics in social research involving children

Powell, MA McArthur, M Chalmers, J Graham, A Moore, T Spriggs, M Taplin, S

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Publisher:: ROUTLEDGE JOURNALS, TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 2018, 21, (6), pp. 647-660
Issue Date:: 2018-11-02

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Powell, MA
dc.contributor.author	McArthur, M
dc.contributor.author	Chalmers, J
dc.contributor.author	Graham, A
dc.contributor.author	Moore, T
dc.contributor.author	Spriggs, M
dc.contributor.author	Taplin, S https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8752-009X
dc.date.accessioned	2022-08-22T00:31:05Z
dc.date.available	2022-08-22T00:31:05Z
dc.date.issued	2018-11-02
dc.identifier.citation	International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 2018, 21, (6), pp. 647-660
dc.identifier.issn	1364-5579
dc.identifier.issn	1464-5300
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/160649
dc.description.abstract	While there is broad consensus that involving children in research is critically important for understanding their lives, there is considerable caution around their participation in social research on ‘sensitive’ issues. Such caution is further amplified by a lack of agreement about what constitutes a ‘sensitive topic’. This article draws on data from interviews with a range of Australian stakeholders, including children, parents, researchers, ethics committee members, government and non-government organisation representatives, and other decision-makers, specifically related to the question of ‘what is a sensitive topic?’. While participants identified a range of sensitive topics, findings point to sensitivities being closely linked with the contexts of children’s lives and experiences. This requires researchers to approach research in ways that reflect more nuanced understandings of these sensitivities, help address potential concerns and facilitate the development of research relationships that promote ethical conduct of research with children.
dc.language	English
dc.publisher	ROUTLEDGE JOURNALS, TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD
dc.relation.ispartof	International Journal of Social Research Methodology
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1080/13645579.2018.1462882
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess
dc.subject	1608 Sociology
dc.subject.classification	Social Sciences Methods
dc.title	Sensitive topics in social research involving children
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	21
utslib.for	1608 Sociology
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access	*
dc.date.updated	2022-08-22T00:31:01Z
pubs.issue	6
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	21
utslib.citation.issue	6

Abstract:

While there is broad consensus that involving children in research is critically important for understanding their lives, there is considerable caution around their participation in social research on ‘sensitive’ issues. Such caution is further amplified by a lack of agreement about what constitutes a ‘sensitive topic’. This article draws on data from interviews with a range of Australian stakeholders, including children, parents, researchers, ethics committee members, government and non-government organisation representatives, and other decision-makers, specifically related to the question of ‘what is a sensitive topic?’. While participants identified a range of sensitive topics, findings point to sensitivities being closely linked with the contexts of children’s lives and experiences. This requires researchers to approach research in ways that reflect more nuanced understandings of these sensitivities, help address potential concerns and facilitate the development of research relationships that promote ethical conduct of research with children.

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:

http://hdl.handle.net/10453/160649