4.4 Research with Children and Other Vulnerable Populations

In many situations (e.g. in educational research) scholars carry out research on subjects (as young children) who lack the competence needed to give valid consent or for whom additional measures may be necessary to protect their welfare, dignity and rights. Such research subjects are “vulnerable” e.g. due age, disability, or illness. Out of this broad area, this learning activity will focus on research with children. Briefly, in most cases parent’s consent is needed for their children’s participation. In addition to that, children usually provide so called assent.

Browse the attached guidance. Visit also the site https://childethics.com/ (co-sponsored by UNICEF) to learn about the actual problems in research involving children.

Source: Graham, A., Powell, M., Taylor, N., Anderson, D. & Fitzgerald, R. (2013). Ethical Research Involving Children. Florence: UNICEF Office of Research – Innocenti.