Why Is It Ethical To Conduct Research With Children

Although there is great need to gain more understandings of children’s perspectives and views, some people may argue it is unethical to conduct researches with children. Children are vulnerable and easily be influenced by surroundings such as environment, their peers, and even the researchers. They have the characteristics of plasticity. Their perspectives, beliefs, and views may be easily impacted or changed. The researchers may unintentionally or unconsciously affect children’s perspectives and behaviors (Morrow, 2008). Even people who realize the importance of research with children, they are concerned on the research methods. Alternatives and consequences need to be carefully analyzed prior to the research process. Some alternatives and questions may arise when conducting research with children: (a) should we conduct research with children; (b) who should be directing the research, the researcher or the child participant; (c) who should take more control: The children, the parents, or the researchers; (d) whether the research be conducted in lab setting or natural settings; and (e) whether researchers should communicate the findings and what the children discuss with their parents.
The first question would be who should be directing the research, the researcher or the child …show more content…
If the children take more control of the research, they may have more willingness or motivations to express their real thoughts. However, their response may not satisfy researchers’ needs and purpose. If the researchers take more control of the research, they may be able to direct the research according to their needs, but the children may not feel comfortable expressing their real thoughts. If the parents take more control of the research, they may be able to provide more protect on their own child based on their own perspectives, but researchers may not get what they