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Researching Young People's Lives
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Researching Young People's Lives



April 2009 | 224 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd
Researching Young People's Lives provides an overview of some of the key methodological challenges facing youth researchers and an introduction to the broad repertoire of methods used in youth-orientated research.

The book is split into two sections. In the first half of the book, the authors consider the broad methodological and contextual concerns of relevance to the design and conduct of youth research, including ethical issues, the importance of context, and the rise of participatory approaches to youth research. The second part of the book focuses on the use of specific research methods in the conduct of youth research, ranging from surveys and secondary analysis through to interviewing, ethnography, visual methods, and the use of the internet in youth research. Throughout the book, the emphasis is on research in practice, and examples are drawn from recent youth research projects from a wide range of disciplines and substantive areas, and from a range of both UK and non-UK contexts.

This is an ideal introduction to the field for novice researchers, in particular students studying and researching in the broad area of youth studies. It will also appeal to practitioners engaged in evaluation of service provision to young people, and to established youth researchers who might wish to explore the potential of using a different set of methods to those with which they are already familiar.

 
Researching Young People's Lives: An Introduction
 
PART ONE: THE CONTEXT OF YOUTH RESEARCH
 
Ethical Practice in Youth Research
 
Researching Across Difference
 
Involving Young People in Research
 
PART TWO: METHODS FOR YOUTH RESEARCH
 
Qualitative Interviewing
 
Ethnographic Approaches
 
Visual Methods
 
Surveys
 
Using Secondary Data
 
Using the Internet for Youth Research
 
Appendix: A Compendium of Web-based Resources for Youth Researchers

The book is accessible, showcases a good range of methods and engages with a number of contemporary methodological debates and developments
British Journal of Sociology of Education


The chapters included in the book are thoughtful and engaging, employing accessible language, useful (and not overbearing) suggestions for further reading, and well-selected examples from previously published works which are woven throughout the text to illustrate the discussion
Children's Geographies


[Researching Young People's Lives] has integrity and remains accessible to those without extensive experience of research in this field. It is a text that strikes a good balance between context and methods. As it is authored rather than edited, the book has a noticeable narrative spine which follows through each chapter. Few books of this kind, of high academic rigour and aimed at an academic audience, manage to integrate accounts of research in practice which give a personal and meaningful overview of methods. This book therefore makes a strong contribution to theb field; written in anaccessible and open style with much to offer to those with an interest in the study of young people’s lives
International Journal of SocialResearch Methodology



I enjoyed this book and will include it in the reading for our development fieldwork module which requires a more practically-oriented book with good examples.

Dr Nicola Banks
Institute of Development Policy and Management, Univ. of Manchester
May 28, 2015

This is a very useful book which some of our students will find useful when completing homework which requires research with young people. It will not be required for all students to read but is a useful resource for those wishing to pursue work in this field.

Miss Joanna Sharpen
Children and young people's project, AVA (against violence and abuse)
April 17, 2014

This is an accessible, rigorous and balanced text which explores research with children and young people with passion. A core text for students and professionals alike.

Miss Jessica Clark
School of Applied Social Science, University Campus Suffolk
March 7, 2012

Will be very useful for our Youth Studies students. Clear account of research with young people.

Mr David James
Suffolk School of Social Sciences, University Campus Suffolk
January 26, 2011

Useful addition to range of research courses in my dept Childhood studies, Youth and community work and education Studies

Dr Keith Cranwell
Education & Community Studies, Greenwich University
October 8, 2010

Excellent text. Very suitable for this particular unit.

Miss Orlagh Mccabe
Dept of Interdisciplinary Studies, Manchester Metropolitan University
June 1, 2010

An excellent text which will be of immense benefit to early career researchers.

Mr Peter McNee
School of Nursing & Midwifery Studies, Cardiff University
November 17, 2009

A well structured book useful for students conducting research in this are

Dr Eleanor Peters
Law , Edge Hill University
October 27, 2009

Sample Materials & Chapters

Chapter One PDF


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