A cultural-historical exploration of relational ethics in research involving children

Participatory studies involving children are a growing topic of debate concerning research on early childhood education and care (ECEC). Developments in ethnographic methods and the use of video recordings to collect data have raised new challenges for researchers who study children regarding such issues as formal procedures for informed consent and obtaining children's assent to research encounters. A growing number of studies have explored children's and researchers' relationships, as well as the ethical aspects of research encounters. We contribute to this discussion by adopting a cultural-historical (wholeness) approach to research that involves children, partnering as researchers with a child participant. By using a cultural-historical approach, we analyzed a critical incident that involved a child's assent and dissent process through dynamic motive orientations. We focused on the importance of considering dynamic motive orientation as researchers navigate new ethical challenges. Our findings reveal that adopting a wholeness approach requires researchers to serve as activity partners, reflecting on and recalibrating their own motives and centering child participants in the research process.