Intergenerational Qualitative Research: Challenges and Success Along the Path to Amplifying Youth Voice

• In Event: Cultivating Equitable Qualitative Methodologies

Abstract

Educational research often is adult-driven, inequitable, and inconsiderate of youth’s experiences as research subjects. This study draws on Youth-led Participatory Action Research epistemologies by examining challenges and affordances of intergenerational qualitative research conducted by adult and youth researchers using novel student voice elicitation and analysis techniques to center student experiences regarding positive student-teacher relationships. Findings are based on results of a youth/adult researcher questionnaire and critical incident analysis to highlight benefits of the fishbone/card sort methods to strengthen research findings, as well as benefits to adult and youth researchers when youth participate in all aspects of the process. The challenges highlight difficulties of conducting intergenerational research and offer lessons to those who strive to avoid “adultism” in future research undertakings.

Authors

• Jerusha Osberg Conner, Villanova University

• Michal Goldstein, Harvard University

• Jose Hernandez

• Jayanth Eapen Mammen, Watchung Hills Regional High School

• Kate L. Phillippo, Loyola University Chicago

• Denise C. Pope, Stanford University

• Shannon Davidson, NPC Research