Guidance Note | Resources for Conducting Ethical Research with Children in Humanitarian Contexts

This Resource List catalogues critical resources to guide ethical good practices in participatory research with children in humanitarian contexts. It is not an exhaustive compilation, nor does it propose new ethical guidelines. Instead, it highlights existing tools that help researchers and practitioners understand, utilise, and apply well-established ethical principles. 

These resources are grounded in the core tenets of child protection and safeguarding, humanitarian action, and participatory research, focusing on the complexities of conducting research in crisis-affected settings. Ethical practice in these contexts is imperative, as children’s heightened vulnerabilities demand careful reflection, planning, and safeguarding measures to ensure their rights and well-being are upheld. 

The list is divided into three sections:

1. Foundational guidance on ethical research with children
2. Guidance specific to emergencies and sensitive topics, and
3. Case studies demonstrating real-world application.