Asking the tough questions: a guide to ethical practices in interviewing young children

Abstract

This paper discusses challenging features of interviewing young children for a range of purposes. Research with young children is discussed as well as other forms of interviewing by practitioners in a range of fields. Processes in establishing the interview purpose include defining some ground rules for the young client, managing the physical setting for the interview and examining the complex nature of confidentiality and consent in interviewing young children. In terms of interviewing style, the emphasis is on encouraging the young child's free narrative within an ethical context using a range of empathic response cues to promote this. Age‐appropriate projective techniques, including art work and the use of dolls and puppets, are examined for their value in managing interviews and research with young children although cautions are expressed about interpreting findings from these.