Conducting a qualitative child interview: methodological considerations.
BACKGROUND
Studies of children have a long history, but the literature related to young children consists for the most part of studies on rather than with children and taking little account of what is regarded as significant and meaningful by children themselves. Researchers have relied almost exclusively on adults when collecting data about children's thoughts, feelings and experiences. Interviewing children, however, gives an opportunity to gain information about their subjective experiences.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this article is to illustrate the theoretical premises of child interviewing, as well as to describe some practical methodological solutions used during interviews. Factors that influence data gathered from children and strategies for taking these factors into consideration during the interview are also described.


METHODS
This paper is based on literature and the experience of one of the authors in interviewing children aged from 4 to 11 years about their experiences of pain.


CONCLUSIONS
A consideration of literature dealing with the principles of child interviewing shows that there is surprisingly little guidance available on conversational methods involving children. The empirical and conceptual foundation for child interviewing is not very clear. Novice researchers especially may need recommendations about how to conduct a qualitative child interview. The method must suit both the purpose and the context.
Kortesluoma
Riitta-Liisa
RL
University Hospital, and Learning and Research Services, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland. riita-liisa.kortesluoma@oulu.fi
Hentinen
Maija
M
Nikkonen
Merja
M
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D002666:Psychology, Child