Participatory methods have become commonplace in childhood studies since the 1990s. This entry provides an overview of these developments, identifying some key influences that underpin the ethos of participatory research and examining critiques of participatory methods.

Participatory methods can be defined as not simply taking part in research, but as processes that enable participants to be more deeply and meaningfully involved in a given activity. Participatory research methods aim to allow participants to express themselves as fully as possible within the process of generating data. In research with children, participatory methods are usually designed to be engaging, fun, and tailored to children’s abilities and interests. Studies using participatory methods may also involve broader efforts to enable children to influence the whole process of research, by developing ...