The Global Kids Online #research toolkit #globalkidsonline

A useful set of resources for researchers has been developed by the Global Kids Online project: "an international research project that aims to generate and sustain a rigorous cross-national evidence base around children’s use of the internet". Although they are framed as being useful specifically to investigate online risks and opportunities for children, these materials could also be useful to people researching various aspects of the information literacy of children and young people. In particular the method guides (on topics such as "Participatory methods: engaging children’s voices" and on researching children of all ages) are more generally useful. There are four sections:
Qualitative tools "This contains the research instruments to enable you to design and carry out qualitative research on children’s online risks and opportunities. We have included materials needed for conducting and analysing individual interviews and focus groups with children."
Quantitative tools "This contains the research instruments to enable you to design and carry out quantitative survey research on children’s online risks and opportunities. We have included the materials needed for conducting and analysing a modular survey, including core, optional and adaptable questions."
Method guides "The method guides examine key issues related to researching children’s online risks and opportunities. Written by experts in the field, they give practical advice to researchers and include case studies, best practice examples, checklists, and useful links. Taken together, these guides will support you throughout the research process."
Adapting the tools "These resources are intended to assist you in deciding how best to adapt the tools provided for your specific country and research context. We have included some practical examples of how the Global Kids Online toolkit has already been adapted by our research partners and the lessons learned, along with some resources in a range of languages."
Go to: http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/gko/tools/
Photo by Sheila Webber: a wall in the Sheffield Methods Institute, March 2017