Involving Young Service Users as Co-Researchers in Evaluating Service Provision: Perils, Potential and Limitations
Dr Hugh McLaughlin
University of Salford
Reasons for involving young people in research
Range and quality of data enhancedYP speak a common languageYP raise issues with other young people they would not raise with an adultYP have ownership of the findingsYP presenting own findings have greater impactArticle 12 UN Convention on the Rights of the ChildSelf- confidence, self esteem and employability
Assumptive worlds behind involving children and young people
As objects
As subjects
As social actors
As active participants
Christensen, P. and Prout, A (2002) ’Working with Ethical Symmetry in Social Research with Children,’ Childhood, 9(4): 477-97
Exemplar
NSPCC’s Young People’s Centres
CP system failing to meet needs of yp
Significant no. of yp tell no one of abuse
Current system in UK over-influenced by criminal justice system
One stop-shop
Research Aims
Recruit up to 8 young co-researchersProvide young co-researchers with a structured programme in understanding research and to develop skills in research practiceTo develop research instruments with young co-researchersCollect, analyse data and identify generalisable conclusions and issues for practice and policyProduce a written reportPublicise findings
Perils
Legal Issues
Recruitment
Training
Writing Up
Confidentiality
The unexpected
Timescales and resources
Ethical Considerations
Exploitation
Use and Valuing of Work
Child Protection
Confidentiality
Unanticipated risks
Ethics Committee
Potential
5 YPC’s
Documentation
Semi-structured interviews with yp and staff
Staff focus group
Mystery shopper exercise
Potential 2
Reviewing progress, issues and ideas after each venue
Conference
Report
Meeting national managers
Action plan
Limitations?
Methodology
Process v outcome
Knowledge generated
More researcher than service user
Outcomes v process
Final Thoughts
Not a panacea
Preparation essential
Not ‘cheap’
Hard work
Fun
Legitimate form of social research – powerful messages
Useful PublicationsFraser, S. Lewis, V. Ding, S. Kellet, M. and Robinson, C. (eds.) (2004) Doing Research with Children and Young People, London: Sage
Kirby, P. (2004) A Guide to Involving Young People as Researchers, Eastleigh: Involve , www.invo.org.ukLewis, A. and Lindsay, G. (eds.) (2000) Researching Children’s Perspectives, Buckingham: Open University Press
McLaughlin, H. (forthcoming) Involving Young Service Users as Co-researchers: Possibilities, benefits and costs, British Journal of Social Work.
McLaughlin, H. (2005) Young service users as co-researchers: methodological problems and possibilities; Qualitative Research, 4: (2) 211-228.
McLaughlin, H. et al. (2004) Willing Participants, Community Care, 17-23rd March, p36-7
Smith, R. Monaghan, M. and Broad, B. (2002) ‘Involving Young People as Co-Researchers’, Qualitative Social Work, 1 (2) 191-207