Researchers

Dr Kay Tisdall, School of Social & Political Studies
Dr John Davis, School of Education
Dr Viviene Cree, School of Social & Political Studies
Professor Lynn Jamieson, School of Social & Political Studies and the Centre for Research on Families and Relationships
University of Edinburgh

Aims and objectives

This project will develop an advanced, interdisciplinary training package for those undertaking research with and about children. The training is designed for those with a first degree in social science and subsequent experience as researchers, research commissioners or research consumers, research managers or teachers.

The training builds on the existing expertise of the MSc in Childhood Studies teaching (http://www.ed.ac.uk/gsss/childhood/), at the University of Edinburgh and capitalises on the broader development in the Centre for Research on Families & Relationships (http://www.crfr.ac.uk/) of continuing professional development (CPD).

Rationale

Childhood Studies has grown in the UK, combined with an ever-increasing interest in research with children and young people. There is particular attention to recognising children as social actors. Researchers are therefore developing techniques to best communicate directly with children, alongside more traditional techniques such as professional and parental assessments, and observation.

This academic growth has been paralleled by policy demands to involve children and young people in collective decision-making. While the participation principle has been broadly accepted and participation activities have grown exponentially, both children and adults have raised questions about how to involve children effectively and meaningfully.

This training is very much influenced by these developments. It focuses on research design in its wider sense of engaging with decision-making, self-reflexive good practice and judgements about ethical fitness for purpose throughout the whole process from first ideas to dissemination.

Content and Delivery

The training package will expose participants to existing examples of self-reflexive good practice, using a range of approaches and methods (including mixed methods). The training will provide participants with opportunities to work through the full range of research design decisions in hypothetical examples.

The training combines:

1. a stand-alone module of 10 tutor-facilitated CPD sessions
2. a skills-based resource text presenting case study material and practical exercises
3. a web-based learning resource giving access to online discussion with peers and tutor feedback and additional multimedia material

Pilots of this training package will take place in late 2004-early 2005 and will be offered at a reduced cost. If you are interested in participating in the pilots of this training package, please contact us below.