Researching with families : ethical issues and situations

• Published in: Contemporary issues in early childhood Vol. 10; no. 4; pp. 353 - 365
• Main Authors: Dockett, Sue, Perry, Bob, Kearney, Emma, Hampshire, Anne, Mason, Jan, Schmied, Virginia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.12.2009; Symposium Journals
• Subjects: At risk persons; Australia; Charles Sturt University; Community education; Cooperation; Disadvantaged; Early Childhood Education; Ecological systems theory; Educational Research; Ethics; Family (Sociological unit); Family problems; Family Programs; Foreign Countries; Informed consent; Interpersonal communication; Interpersonal Relationship; Mission Australia (Charity); New South Wales. Dept of Community Services. Centre for Parenting Research; Participant Characteristics; Participation; Preschool primary transition; Primary education; Qualitative research; Reciprocity; Research ethics; Research Methodology; Research projects; Research subjects; Researchers; Role; School Readiness; Social capital; Strengths-based approach; Transitional Programs; Trust (Psychology); University of Western Sydney; Welfare services; Australia; New South Wales
• ISSN: 1463-9491; 1463-9491
• DOI: 10.2304/ciec.2009.10.4.353

This article draws on an Australian project engaging with families with complex support needs as their children start school. The project itself is focused on developing collaborative research relationships between families, community support agencies and researchers with the aim of investigating what happens for families during the transition to school. In particular, the project has focused on developing strategies that promote recognition of family strengths, as well as challenges, and that support a positive start to school education. This article reports a range of ethical issues and situations encountered throughout the project. The aim of reporting these is to share some of the critical reflections about the assumptions underpinning the research, ethical engagement with research participants, and the responsibilities researchers have. In particular, the authors share reflections about the nature and implications of conducting research with families, accessing research participants and strategies for engaging with research participants. The approach taken in the project, and this article, reflects assumptions about research as an ethical process and the need for researchers to consider the ethical issues and situations they meet within research contexts. [Author abstract]