Multiple methods in qualitative research with children: more insight or just more?

Abstract

This article explores the research implications of using multi-methods within a broad qualitative approach by drawing on the experience of conducting two childhood obesity-focused qualitative studies of Australian children’s perceptions and experiences of place, space and physical activity. Children described and depicted their physical activities and experiences: in focus group interviews, by mapping their local, social and recreational spaces and by photographing their meaningful places, spaces and activities using a Photovoice approach. The authors describe, reflect on and critique their chosen research approach, discussing the value, utility and pitfalls associated with using multiple methods with children. The article concludes that using multiple methods in researching children’s experiences is a valuable approach that does not merely duplicate data but also offers complementary insights and understandings that may be difficult to access through reliance on a single method of data collection.

“Football is a boys’ game”: children’s perceptions about barriers for physical activity during recess time

“…Children were given 20 minutes to complete the drawing (Darbyshire, 2005). After completing the drawings, children were gathered in focus groups supported by the use of a script, following different levels of the sociological model, (Table 2) and the personal drawings.…”

“…In addition, other studies using qualitative approaches have primarily focused on conceptualizations (related to potential factors that influences physical activity) from an adult perspective (i.e., parents and teachers) rather than a child’s (Darbyshire, 2005). …”

So round the spiral again: a reflective participatory research project with children and young people

“…We also decided on this first day that we would need to find out where we would access the young people we want to speak to, and this was done through a mapping exercise. Research has shown that using mapping exercises has proven to be effective in groups with children as young as four years old in relation to their perceptions of their environment (Darbyshire et al, 2005). The young researchers decided that holding an event would be the best way to speak to children and young people so we decided to hold a fun day.…”

Untitled

“…This study, therefore, is theoretically rooted in a mixed methods approach to inquiry [6] -the surveys are quantitative and the journal reflections are qualitative. It has been argued that using multiple methods is a "valuable approach that does not merely duplicate data but also offers complementary insights and understandings that may be difficult to access through reliance on a single method of data collection" [9].…”