Children's Drawings as a Methodological Tool: Reflections on the Eleven Plus System in Northern Ireland

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to contribute to the growing debates about appropriate methodologies for researching children's lives. I intend to outline the usefulness of using drawings as a methodological tool. This method was one of three used in a study concerned with examining children's experiences of doing the Eleven Plus. This is an exam taken by the majority of 10–11 year old children in Northern Ireland. The advantages and disadvantages of employing drawings in research with children will be explored. Drawing is generally considered by adults to be a common form of expression for children. However, the article will question its relevance as a method of obtaining data on how children view their social worlds.