Methodology of Modern Research Concerning Childhood - the Perspective of Childhood Studies

Abstract

Modern research concerning childhood has been developing mostly based on the concept of children’s rights, which is seen not only in the topics of research but also in the objectives and methodological aspects. The aim of the paper is to show how respecting children’s subjectivity and their right to voice opinions in matters that affect them are reflected in childhood studies by means of the specific epistemological perspective, which is seeing the reality through children’s eyes, and the preference for some methodological solutions, i.e. the types of research and the applied methods that are useful in obtaining reports, opinions and assessment of children. The analysis of scientific and research discourse allowed identification of several preferred methodological types of childhood studies, i.e. ethnographic, meta-analytical using big data, survey and longitudinal research. It also allowed indication of the current which is developed in research on childhood and is related to promotion of participatory research with children.