Ethical Research Involving Children

Children’s experiences of completing a computer-based violence survey: Ethical implications.

Ellonen, N., & Pösö, T. (2011). Children’s experiences of completing a computer-based violence survey: Ethical implications. Children & Society, 25(6), pp. 470-481.

Abstract: This article aims to contribute to the discussion about the ethics of research on children when studying sensitive issues such as violence. The empirical analysis is based on the accounts given by children (11 377) who completed a computer-based questionnaire about their experiences of violence (‘The Finnish Child Victim Survey 2008’) and their reflections on the survey. We argue that experiences of violence should not be excluded from the research agenda on children due to ethical reasons, but that a more sophisticated practice should be developed instead to meet the needs and rights of children as informants. © 2010 The Author(s). Journal compilation © 2010 National Children’s Bureau and Blackwell Publishing Limited. (Abstract published by arrangement with Wiley Subscription Services, Inc.).