Cool and the Gang: Empowering Young Children to Choose Their Own Research Pseudonyms

Abstract

Whilst anonymisation of participants has long been accepted and expected research practice, this article responds to growing interest in participants making their own choice about the naming practices used. Drawing upon examples from the author’s own doctoral research with children aged 5–6 years, including Cool and friends, this article argues that research participants who are young children should be empowered to select their own pseudonyms and discusses the practicalities of this. The article provides a review of issues around pseudonyms, and other forms of identifiers, and aims to engage researchers from a broad range of fields to encourage discussion and reflection. It concludes with some recommendations that may be particularly useful for undergraduates or others new to, or reconsidering, the use of pseudonyms in their research.