Author(s): Wootten M; Robson E; Meagher N; Clark J; Dyson A
Abstract: Young people form one of the most heavily researched groups in society. They are studied by opinion polsters, advertisers, educationalists, health researchers and many others. Despite attempts to get beyond mere observation to extended dialogue and reporting findings in the young people's own words, the process still tends to be controlled by professional adult researchers. They decide who should be studied and how. They control the interpretation and reporting of findings. In this book the Routes team explores projects where young people have taken a leading role as researchers. Each project though has taken a different approach to participation, involving different groups of young people, to different extents, in different aspects of the research process and on different issues. As well as analysing these to discuss the possibilities, problems and politics of involving young people in research it is hoped the examples will inspire others to think about how they might set up their own participatory investigations. The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Youth, Citizenship and Social Change Research aims to present new perspectives on youth transitions to a broad audience. This series from Youth Work Press presents early findings and thoughts from the programme and should be considered a source of fresh and sparky ideas, rather than the last word in evidence-based policy.
Notes: In this book the authors explore projects where young people have taken a leading role as researchers and have taken a different approach to participation, involving different groups of young people, to different extents, in different aspects of the research process and on different issues. As well as analysing these to discuss the possibilities, problems and politics of involving young people in research it is hoped the examples will inspire others to think about how they might set up their own participatory investigations.
Keywords: young people, transitions, research, action, participation