INTER-Encyclopedia: Interviewing Children

Abstract

The article provides a brief overview on interview as a method for studying the opinions of children, their life experience, and emotional experiences. The analysis of the method is based on the principles of the new sociology of childhood: equal communication, agency of children, involvement in decision-making concerning the lives of children. A definition of methodological inclusion is given as a mechanism for adapting a method to the characteristics of a social group. The following aspects of the children’ interviewing are identified and described: in-depth study of the interview script, taking into account the characteristics of age and the inclusion of elements of gamification and projective techniques in the interview script, selection of the best interview venue, selection of interviewers and more thorough briefing due to their age, dynamic interviewing with switching activities, flexibility in conducting interviews in accordance with the individual characteristics and development of the child, contact with a parent or other responsible person before and after the interview.

Keywords

• new sociology of childhood
• interviewing children
• methodological inclusion
• gamification
• stimulus material and environment