Children as researchers: issues, impact and contribution to knowledge

This paper explores the concept of children as researchers, positioning this from a rights perspective. It begins by tracing the historical context of children's research before establishing a rationale for this new paradigm. Consideration is given to methodological and theoretical issues pertaining to research by children and set within a context of participation and empowerment. The author acknowledges the importance of child voice, the uniqueness of insider perspective and the valuing of original contribution to knowledge that research by children can bring to our understanding of childhood and children's lives. The paper draws on the pioneering work of the Children's Research Centre at the Open University, UK – a centre solely dedicated to supporting research by children and young people – and features an example of original research by young people. Impact factors are examined along with how we value and position research by children in policy and practice contexts

Children as active researchers: a new research paradigm for the 21st century?

This paper examines the concept of research undertaken by children and the methodological and theoretical issues this raises. It begins with a rationale of research by children and sets this within a context or participation and empowerment, acknowledging the importance of child perspective and voice and valuing the original contribution that child researchers can make to our understanding of childhood and children's lives. It traces the historical and philosophical precedents that have led to this point and explores the question of whether research by children can be accommodated within existing research parameters or whether it requires a new approach even a new research paradigm? The paper also addresses issues of ethics, policy and power relations along with a discussion of the extent to which child research can be free of adult filters and adult influences. It draws on data from a 3-year ation research study empowering children as active researchers and features examples of children's original projects

Young people's voices on cyber bullying: what can age comparisons tell us

This is a report of a youth-led research study, commissioned by the Diana Award. It illuminates contemporary experiences of and attitudes towards cyber bullying, with a particular focus on age comparisons between older and younger youth. This is the largest survey carried out on cyber bullying in England to date that has been steered by young people themselves. It consisted of: one large survey, two online surveys and four focus groups, carried out from September 2009 to July 2011. In total, it encompassed the views of 1,512 young people in England (consisting of 1490 pupils who completed the surveys and 22 who designed the research). It provides a a clearer understanding of the nature and prevalence of cyber bullying among young people and recommends effective ways to strengthen preventative action

Children researching links between poverty and literacy

Two groups of six children (aged eleven) in two UK primary schools – one in an area of socio-economic advantage and one in an area of socio-economic disadvantage – were trained in research methods. They were supported to undertake their own research projects about aspects of literacy, which they identified themselves. Areas explored include: - homework experiences - learning environments and - how confidence affects literacy. These research studies provide rich descriptions of children’s own literacy experiences, generating data that is not easily accessible to adults. The absence of power relations in the data collection by having child researchers means that the responses are untainted by efforts to ‘please the adult’. This report will be of interest to teachers, educationalists, government bodies, policy maker

Children as active researchers: A new research paradigm for the 21st century

Abstract: This paper examines the concept of research undertaken by children* and the methodological and theoretical issues this raises. It begins with a rationale for research by children and sets this within a context of participation and empowerment, acknowledging the importance of child perspective and voice and valuing the original contribution that child researchers can make to our understanding of childhood and children's lives. It traces the historical and philosophical precedents that have led to this point and explores the question of whether research by children can be accommodated within existing research parameters or whether it requires a new approach, even a new research paradigm

NCRM Methods Review Papers, NCRM/003. Children as active researchers: a new research paradigm for the 21st century?

This paper examines the concept of research undertaken by children* and the methodological and theoretical issues this raises. It begins with a rationale for research by children and sets this within a context of participation and empowerment, acknowledging the importance of child perspective and voice and valuing the original contribution that child researchers can make to our understanding of childhood and children’s lives. It traces the historical and philosophical precedents that have led to this point and explores the question of whether research by children can be accommodated within existing research parameters or whether it requires a new approach, even a new research paradigm? The paper also addresses issues related to ethics, policy and power relations along with a discussion of the extent to which research by children can be free of adult filters and adult influence. It draws on data from a three-year action research study empowering children as active researchers and features examples of children’s original projects

Water-soluble bis(1,10-phenanthroline) Octanedioate Cu2+ and Mn2+ Complexes with Unprecedented Nano and Picomolar in Vitro Cytotoxicity: Promising Leads for Chemotherapeutic Drug Development

Dinuclear CuII and MnII bis-phenanthroline octanedioate complexes exhibit rapid, unprecedented nano and picomolar in vitro cytotoxicity against colorectal cancer lines and are less toxic than cisplatin when examined in vivo. The complexes are potent generators of cellular reactive oxygen species, avid DNA binders and induce O2 dependent cleavage of DNA. The Cu(II) complex was found to have self-cleaving nuclease activity

A 2 × 2 factorial, randomised, open-label trial to determine the clinical and cost-effectiveness of hypertonic saline (HTS 6%) and carbocisteine for airway clearance versus usual care over 52 weeks in adults with bronchiectasis:a protocol for the CLEAR clinical trial

Background: Current guidelines for the management of bronchiectasis (BE) highlight the lack of evidence to recommend mucoactive agents, such as hypertonic saline (HTS) and carbocisteine, to aid sputum removal as part of standard care. We hypothesise that mucoactive agents (HTS or carbocisteine, or a combination) are effective in reducing exacerbations over a 52-week period, compared to usual care. Methods: This is a 52-week, 2 × 2 factorial, randomized, open-label trial to determine the clinical effectiveness and cost effectiveness of HTS 6% and carbocisteine for airway clearance versus usual care-the Clinical and cost-effectiveness of hypertonic saline (HTS 6%) and carbocisteine for airway clearance versus usual care (CLEAR) trial. Patients will be randomised to (1) standard care and twice-daily nebulised HTS (6%), (2) standard care and carbocisteine (750 mg three times per day until visit 3, reducing to 750 mg twice per day), (3) standard care and combination of twice-daily nebulised HTS and carbocisteine, or (4) standard care. The primary outcome is the mean number of exacerbations over 52 weeks. Key inclusion criteria are as follows: Adults with a diagnosis of BE on computed tomography, BE as the primary respiratory diagnosis, and two or more pulmonary exacerbations in the last year requiring antibiotics and production of daily sputum. Discussion: This trial's pragmatic research design avoids the significant costs associated with double-blind trials whilst optimising rigour in other areas of trial delivery. The CLEAR trial will provide evidence as to whether HTS, carbocisteine or both are effective and cost effective for patients with BE. Trial registration: EudraCT number: 2017-000664-14 (first entered in the database on 20 October 2017). ISRCTN.com, ISRCTN89040295. Registered on 6 July/2018. Funder: National Institute for Health Research, Health Technology Assessment Programme (15/100/01). Sponsor: Belfast Health and Social Care Trust. Ethics Reference Number: 17/NE/0339. Protocol version: V3.0 Final_14052018