Research with Children: What it's Really Like

I’m a researcher. It sounds kind of boring when I put it that way. But you read this blog, right? And you enjoy it, right? (Right??) Well, Most everything I write is based on...research. People who donate their brains to science. Heh heh. That was a research joke. Okay.

But really, research with children is important because it informs policy, interventions, and education and curriculum. Ever wonder how teachers know how to help kids who are falling behind in reading? Research. Know why doctors tell you to put babies to sleep on their backs? Research.

So how do I find out all the information I write to you about? Some research, like the kind I do, is conducted by going out and visiting families in their homes. We interview parents and ‘play games’ with kids (which are really research tasks- we’re collecting data- but they really are fun games for the kids. Really. Fun.). One of the tasks we do is like this little gem but modified for younger kiddos. We go back to the lab (it looks more like an office), enter the data into a computer, crunch some numbers, analyze them, and write up articles to share with the scientific community. Sounds easy, but in actuality, it takes a lot of time, money, and energy.

Some research is conducted via the computer- through surveys and questionnaires. This is the kind you yourself can be a part of. Yes you can be an indelible part of science and make your imprint on the face of research forever. (Too cheesy? Did it have an impact?)

It’s super easy to participate. Below are just a few studies that you can be a part of. An ethics board reviews each of the studies before allowing them to collect data from participants. In each study, you are not required to give any identifying information and you may quit at any time.

1. Study of mothers’ experiences and feelings about childbirth and the transition into being the mother of her new baby (for mothers of babies under 12months) Click here

2. Study of parents’ feelings and attitudes about how children use objects such as blankets and toys (parents of 2.5 – 5 year-olds) Click here

3. Study of children's emotional development (parents of 12-26 month old children) Click here

If you live in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, have a young child, and are interested in participating in research, there are several opportunities listed here.