But I've never been asked: research with children in Pakistan

Abstract

This paper provides some comparison and reflections based on the author's involvement in two childrenrelated research studies in Pakistan, one of which was conducted in quantitative while the other in thequalitative-interpretive research tradition. The former might be useful in mapping and quantifying thedemographics of certain groups of children and the extent of their problems; it is done from the adultperspective. The latter provided children greater 'voice' and 'control' over the research process by givingthem the power to fix the terms of the researcher-participant interaction, which, let them express andmaintain their individuality, autonomy and privacy in the Pakistani cultural context characterized by rigidhierarchies of age, gender and class among others. Such research ensures children's rights to formopinions and express them in their preferred form and protect them against exploitation through researchprocesses. Show more