Research with children: a critical review of the guidelines

Abstract

The development of research with children highlights a number of ethical issues for the research process concerning consent, confidentiality and protection from harm. This article aims to analyse the extent to which these issues have been considered within the published guidance for research involving children. Several key principles emerged: there is consensus that it is unethical not to conduct research with children; consent should be obtained from both the child and the parent or guardian; where the child does not have sufficient understanding of what is involved and the implications of such involvement, the assent of the child should be sought; children involved in research should be made aware that, where information concerning risks to themselves or others emerges, confidentiality cannot be guaranteed; and finally researchers must consider the potential impact of research participation on the child, building methods of providing support to children into the research proposal.