Not just data: analysing visual narratives of children in research and the quest for “micro-ethical” moments

Abstract

The chapter is based on a transnational small-scale research project in England, Norway, and Australia. The project aimed to examine how children are using IoToys at home with make-believe play and to investigate types of interactions/behaviours within their make-believe play in digital playscapes. Using digital methods for data collection based on visual methodologies principles, underpinning the synergy of cultural-historical theory and schema play concepts, we analyse digital episodes of children’s play with IoToys to demonstrate our analytical protocol. We discuss the complexities of visually capturing children’s lived experiences. Finally, we examine some of the challenges of analysing audio and visual recordings and conclude by suggesting that visual methodologies offer potentialities for rich data that capture the lived experiences of children but require to be approached as a cultural tool where the researchers should seek for signs, schemes, symbols and ethical “micro-moments”.