Barn med og uten funksjonsnedsettelser og deltagelse i forskergrupper – når og hvordan kan ulike kvalitative forskningsmetoder få alle barn til å delta i forskning?

Abstract

This article discuss when and how it is possible to get children with and without impairments involved in research in Kindergartens. Through empirical examples from established research-groups with children we analyze different research methods’ ability to engage children to research-participation. Our findings illustrate that participant observation in child-guided tours and digital photo-sessions make all children participating on equal terms. Additionally, we realize that a pragmatic approach on play was needed, and we had to commute between the logic of play and the logic of research. A prerequisite for all children’s participation was to accept that children’s consent is situated according to situations, ongoing activities and context.

Keywords: children’s participation, children with disabilities, testing of qualitative research methods, the logic of play