Plan B's and interviewing children

The readings this week were all helpful and applicable to us as we continue to work on our proposals. In the Knight reading, I found it interesting to learn that it is important to have a “plan B” for when your research project could go wrong. He talks about some potential problems that could occur, from participants withdrawing from your study to losing data (Knight, 162-163). This is why it is always important to back-up your computer, which is something I need to get in the habit of doing regularly!

Another point of interest which is related to my own research project was in the Heath et al article. I discovered that even though children may have been given a choice of whether to participate or not, the issue is that they may have said “yes” to the study because they are trying to please or are afraid of the consequences of not being seen as “cooperative.” (Heath et al, 414) As part of my research methodology involves interviewing children this was very relevant and something I had not considered before. Additionally the idea that children are “eager participants” is a faulty perception. Not only do we have to ensure the participants have a “voice,” but Heath et al. go further by suggesting that researchers should also be respectful of the rights of children to remain silent in discussions. (Heath et al, 415) All of these are major implications for anyone doing research with children.