The issues of researcher access and identity are important ethical considerations when researching children. They are particularly significant when the children are a highly marginalized group such as those living on the street. Using research with street children in Kampala, Uganda, as an exemplar, this article explores the methodological issues associated with gaining access to street children and reducing the influence of the researcher's `outsider' identity, when undertaking sociospatial research. Through the adoption of a child-centred methodology and the adaptation of ethnographic, oral and visual methods, in conjunction with the children themselves, this article illustrates how meaningful results can be gleaned without the inhibitory effects of limited access and outsider influence.
Baker, R.
, C. Panter-Brick and A. Todd (1996) `Methods Used in Research with Street Children in Nepal', Childhood (`Children Out of Place': special issue on working and street children) 3(2): 171-194.
2.
Beazley, H.
(1997) `Street Children's Conception and Use of Space: Subcultures of Resistance in Indonesia', paper presented at the Urban Childhood Conference, Trondheim, Norway, 9-12 June.
3.
Beers, H.
(1996) `A Plea for a Child-Centred Approach in Research with Street Children', Childhood (`Children Out of Place': special issue on working and street children) 3(2): 195-202.
4.
Bemak, F.
(1996) `Street Researchers: A New Paradigm Redefining Future Research with Street Children', Childhood (`Children Out of Place': special issue on working and street children) 3(2): 147-156.
5.
Boyden, J.
and J. Ennew (eds) (1997) Children in Focus - A Manual for Participatory Research with Children. Stockholm: Rädda Barnen.
6.
Ennew, J.
(1994) Street and Working Children: A Guide to Planning, Development Manual: 4. London: Save the Children.
7.
Greenstock, J.
and M. Pipe (1996) `Interviewing Children about Past Events: The Influence of Peer Support and Misleading Questions', Child Abuse and Neglect20(1): 69-80.
8.
Harper, C. and R. Marcus (2000) Child Poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa, report for Save the Children (UK); available at: www.ids.ac.uk/ids/socpol/spconf/ssa.
9.
Hecht, T.
(1999) At Home in the Street: Street Children of Northeast Brazil. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
10.
Homan, R.
(1991) The Ethics of Social Research, Aspects of Modern Sociology. London: Longman.
11.
Hoppe, M.
, E. Wells, D. Morrison, M. Gillmore and A. Wilsdon (1995) `Using Focus Groups to Discuss Sensitive Topics with Children', Evaluation Review19(1):102-114.
12.
Howard, S.
(1995) `Methodological Issues in Overseas Fieldwork: Experiences from Nicaragua's Northern Atlantic Coast', in E. Robson and K. Willis (eds) Undertaking Fieldwork in Developing Areas, Developing Areas Research Group monograph, pp. 19-35. London: Royal Geographical Society with the Institue of British Geographers.
13.
Kefyalew, F.
(1996) `The Reality of Child Participation in Research: Experience from a Capacity-Building Programme', Childhood (`Children Out of Place': special issue on working and street children) 3(2): 203-214.
14.
Matthews, H.
(1992) Making Sense of Place: Children's Understanding of Large-Scale Environments. Hemel Hempstead: Harvester Wheatsheaf.
15.
Matthews, H.
, M. Limb and M. Taylor (1999) `Young People's Participation and Representation in Society', Geoforum30: 135-144.
16.
Sibley, D.
(1991) `Children's Geographies: Some Problems of Representation', Area23(3): 269-270.
17.
Skelton, T.
and G. Valentine (1997) Cool Places: Geographies of Youth Cultures. London: Routledge.
18.
Thomas, N.
and C. O'Kane (1998) `The Ethics of Participatory Research with Children', Children and Society12: 336-348.
19.
Valentine, G.
(1996a) `Angels and Devils: Moral Landscapes of Childhood', Environment and Planning D: Society and Space14: 336-348.
20.
Valentine, G.
(1996b) `Children Should be Seen and Not Heard: The Production and Transgression of Adults' Public Space', Urban Geography17: 205-220.
21.
Valentine, G.
(1997) ` “Oh Yes I Can.”“Oh No You Can't.” Children and Parents' Understanding of Kids' Competence to Negotiate Public Space Safely', Antipode29: 65-89.
