Guidance for developing ethical research projects involving children
From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Published on
Last updated on
The aim of this guidance paper, produced by a working group on behalf of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA), is to advise on good practice principles for undertaking research with children (defined in Ireland as people below the age of 18).
Research with, and for, children is necessary because knowing about children and their lives and understanding the child’s perspective are key to protecting, promoting, and supporting their health and well-being. There are specific issues arising from children’s and young people’s legal status, their knowledge and experience of the world, their differing levels of cognition and their relative lack of independence and autonomy, all of which require particular attention in order to ensure appropriate and ethical research practice.
The paper is structured around the following issues: