Provisional consent was firstly obtained from the School Principal to conduct the study, subject to the researcher following the correct procedures for informed consent.
Before the sample was drawn, an informed consent letter was sent to all the
parents/guardians of potential participants (Appendix A). Gaining informed consent from parents of the younger children proved to be difficult. Many parents sent the informed consent letter back to the school specifically stating that their child would not participate in the study. However, such a reaction needed to be respected by the researcher, despite the fact that the sample size for the younger age group of children was smaller due to these reluctant parents. The participants were assured of absolute anonymity and confidentiality (their names did not appear on the questionnaires and their peers and teachers did not know what answers they had given) and they were
informed of their right to withdraw from the study at any time, without fear of negative consequences. They were also told that they may choose not to answer certain questions should they feel so inclined. In line with the ethical principle of beneficence, the girls were offered follow-up therapy with the school psychologist, should their answers to the questionnaire result in any emotional distress and/or bad memories (as may well be the case in a study of this topic). However, it was realized that requesting such action on the part of the participants presented a certain ethical dilemma, since by doing so their anonymity would be compromised, possibly resulting in victimization from other girls for „telling on‟ them. In addition, the researcher offered feedback, in the form of a seminar or workshops, to the teachers, parents and children in the school so that their community will have an opportunity to benefit from the knowledge gained as a result of their participation in this research.
The researcher will also attempt to publish the results of this study should they be deemed to be of sufficient use in adding to the existing body of knowledge, which will then ensure that both academics and practitioners will have access to the findings.
Bentz and Shapiro (1998) highlight the importance of „mindful‟ enquiry, which moves beyond traditional research ethics saying:
[we need to prepare]… a place for communication that is not distorted by power relations in order for truth to be discovered in a discourse community.
The researcher is watchful of herself or himself alongside the participants of the study…Mindfulness requires care for the lifeworld in which the enquiry occurs. It questions the manner in which the inquirer enters the lifeworlds involved in the inquiry, taking care that they are left in a better state than they were before, and certainly not in worse state. The mindful researcher will look at the possible effects of the inquiry not only on the lifeworld by also on persons in the lifeworld, on the self of the researcher, on the lifeworld of the researcher, and on potential future lifeworlds (p. 55).
3.5.1 Doing research with children
It is crucial to do research with children, because it can advance understanding of how they develop and experience their lives (since they are the „experts‟ of their own lives), and thereby allow us to intervene positively in the lives of children
experiencing difficulties (Lewis, 2004). However, children are a special research
population and as such should be treated accordingly, with application of the ethical principle of non-maleficence as paramount. Researchers differ in opinions on whether it is wrong or right to engage children within the process of research say Greig and Taylor (1999), who assert that children have specific rights and are uniquely vulnerable, and therefore should be consulted in matters which affect them. If child research is to be in the best interests of the children involved, it is critical to be aware of the potential dangers. All researchers are by default in a position of power, which carries with it the potential for abuse. In addition, researchers, as adults, are also powerful relative to children, making this a “double-edged sword” (p. 148). The issue of informed consent (including the knowledge of freedom of choice in participation, their role and the possible consequences of their participation) presents a unique challenge in researching young children. In addition, the researcher needs to consider very carefully if it is necessary to directly involve children in the study in order to answer the research questions. She also needs to consider the implications of the sampling method (will some children be harmed by virtue of exclusion?) and the potential psychological, social or emotional risks posed by the research instrument (Ibid). Children are very different to adults; they perceive and understand the world in a different way from adults and the researcher therefore cannot see issues from the exact perspective of the child. It is an important starting point, therefore, to
acknowledge this reality (Ibid). Greig and Taylor (1999) state: “Undertaking research with children requires special tools just as it requires special skills…” (p. 159). It is only when we understand children within their own context that we can begin to make sense of their worlds (Ibid).
Although research with children presents some unique methodological challenges, Kellett and Ding (2004) point out that: “Children are themselves the best source of information about matters that concern them, so collecting data directly from children is preferred…” (p.165). It is important to ensure that the methods used are suitable for this population, such as pictorial vignettes and ranking exercises. Spencer and Flin (1990, cited in Kellett & Ding, 2004) make four recommendations for gaining optimal responses from children in quantitative research:
Instructions before the interview begins should be unambiguous and comprehensive
Leading questions must be avoided
Ensure that children are given the „don‟t know‟ option in order to avoid guessing
Interviewing children on their home territory is ideal.