Ethics in child & the UNCRC

Question 1

Ethics- Informed consent

Answer 1

children can’t give consent, we therefore get it from guardian…but we should also try to get it from the child to the degree that they’re able to understand.

Question 2

Ethics- Deception

Answer 2

Children are very easy to deceive and so this can be a problem (or you can argue that children aren’t needing to be deceived because of their general lack of understanding)…..you could also argue whether children are more prone of demand characteristics (as they’re easily influenced) or less prone (as they can’t figure out what is going on)

Question 3

Ethics- Confidentiality

Answer 3

Children’s identities should be protected i.e. Pseudonyms like Genie

Question 4

Ethics- Debrief

Answer 4

Difficult to debrief children because of their lack of understanding (but we should still try to the best of our abilities)

Question 5

Ethics- Withdrawal

Answer 5

Children have great difficulty with withdrawal since they might be unaware of what is going on/the procedure etc Researchers should make sure they are closely monitoring the children for signs that they don’t want to continue with the procedure

Question 6

Ethics- Protection

Answer 6

Children are very vulnerable, easily upset, can be very easily unsettled by events with long lasting repercussions so we have to be extremely careful to make sure we’re treating them well…procedures which wouldn’t effect a person might be stressful, distressing or upsetting for a child.

Question 7

UNCRC

Answer 7

Is the UN charter for rights of the child. It gives children certain legal protections/human rights. There are 4 principles:
• Participation (in decisions made about them)
• Protection (from harm)
• Provision (of services and all the children need)
• Privacy (and confidentiality at all times)

Question 8

UNCRC Article 3

Answer 8

the child’s best interests should be top priority

Question 9

UNCRC Article 9

Answer 9

States Parties shall ensure that a child shall not be separated from his or her parents against their will

Question 10

UNCRC Article 12

Answer 10

Every child has the right to express their views, feelings and wishes

Question 11

UNCRC Article 13

Answer 11

The child shall have the right to freedom of expression

Question 12

UNCRC Article 16

Answer 12

Every child has a right to privacy

Question 13

UNCRC Article 18

Answer 13

States Parties shall use their best efforts to ensure recognition of the principle that both parents have common responsibilities for the upbringing and development of the child

Question 14

UNCRC Article 36

Answer 14

They should be protected from all forms of exploitation

Question 15

Protection Vs Participation

Answer 15

Protection and participation might come into conflict (a child should have the right to be involved in research….but doing so might be distressing. Which right is more important?)

We might justify it if their participation might truly help with beneficial results

Question 16

Protection Vs Participation- Power & Smith (2009)

Answer 16

when the child participants are vulnerable and the area of research sensitive, participation rights can be compromised. Usually we will have a strong gatekeeper

Question 17

Protection Vs Participation- Alderson (2012)

Answer 17

thinks that ALL children have a right to be researched

Question 18

Protection Vs Participation- Abebe and Bessell (2014)

Answer 18

see it more as ‘a right to be properly researched’