Using visual research methods for research with chronically ill children

Abstract

The use of visual methods (drawing, photography, videos) has become particularly prominent in the last two decades in research conducted with children (Mitchell, 2006). Visual methods have been found to be particularly suited for conducting research with these actors due to their flexible and interactive nature (O’Connell, 2013; see also Chapters 9 and 11 in this volume). When conducting research with children, it is important to acknowledge that there can be a power imbalance between them and the adult researcher (Moore et al., 2008) which can be mitigated by task-based methods (such as photo-elicitation or drawing-elicitation interviews) since these might enable children to feel more comfortable in the presence of the adult researcher (Punch, 2002). Furthermore, children might feel more relaxed when in contact with visual models of representation (O’Connell, 2013). The use of visual elicitation tools when conducting research with children might allow them to assume a position of power by exerting some control over data generation (Martin, 2019). Nevertheless, absolute ‘ethical symmetry’ (Christensen & Prout, 2002) might not be achieved due to the inherent vulnerability of children’s status.