Video Diary Data Collection in Research with Children: An Alternative Method

Abstract

The study of children's experiences in relation to various life situations is an essential task that imposes certain requirements on the researcher's choice of method for data collection. In this paper the author describes the use of video diaries as a method in child research, discussing its opportunities and limitations. Although video diary studies are still not particularly widespread, their use is predicted to increase as children become increasingly familiar and comfortable with the technology. Video diaries offer a useful supplement to more conventional methods as they are capable of eliciting data that would not otherwise be obtained.