Studying Pre-Adolescents: An Autoethnographic Account of a Parent-as-Researcher

Abstract

This article advances the methodological perspective toward studying children, articulating parent-as-researcher (PAR) and children as co-researchers to generate high levels of novel discovery, especially in sensitive subjects related to this vulnerable group. It also underscores the rich possibilities of this inquiry form in studying children, which goes beyond authenticity to reveal children’s multi-layered voices. Furthermore, the insiders’ approach to the PAR’s inquiry and the perspective of children as co-researchers enlighten new ways to engage young consumers in research, allowing broad and deep discussion of subjects’ matters in their own voices. Finally, a guideline for researchers interested in following it is provided. As the text explains, professional researchers can apply the approaches with some adjustments, and non-parent researchers can engage parent co-researchers.