Research with children living in situations of armed conflict: concepts, ethics and methods

The production of this paper has been motivated by the conviction that participatory research with children in armed conflict settings is valuable because of the emergency context. Such an approach is likely to yield richer and more detailed data than a conventional, adult-led approach. These data can be invaluable to the design of interventions. Moreover, engagement in well-planned research activities can offer direct benefits for young participants by enhancing their skills and awareness. In settings of conflict where the young may be required to play an expanded role in their own protection and in the care of others, their personal development is especially important. Our aim here is to equip researchers to most safely and profitably pursue participatory research with children and, to that end,we explore the specific conceptual, ethical and methodological issues concerned.