Violence against children, the voices of Ugandan ... - Raising Voices

Social Sciences (SPSS). The notes from focus groupdiscussions, narrative role plays, and key informantinterviews were segregated by key groups (seeTables 1.1 and 1.2) and ordered by questionnumber. They were then manually coded based ona key developed by the research team, and majorthemes were identified. The Journals were alsocoded in a similar way for key themes. Quotationswere highlighted and typed under key themesusing sex, district, the age of children, and thesocial role of adults as identifiers.Ethical ConsiderationsEthical considerations 2 guided every stage ofthe research process , from research design andparticipant selection through to all interactionswith both children and adults, all data analysisand reporting. For example, prior to each activity,the participants received information on what theactivity addressed, what purpose it served, andhow the information gathered during the activitywould be used. The participants were reassuredthat they were selected not because they had donesomething wrong but because the study aimedto learn from them about their experiences andbeliefs.Each activity began with an explicit explanationthat participation was entirely voluntary and nosanction would result if any participant declinedto participate or withdrew at any stage of theprocess. Particular care was taken with childrenthrough tone and body language to developtrust. Researchers were trained to adopt a friendlydemeanour (without patronizing) and to at all times,be aware of the power they wielded in the presenceof children, simply because they were adults. Finally,the researchers read out an explicit statement ofinformed consent that required each participant toaffirm they were participating voluntarily.All participants were also assured that their identitywould not be disclosed 3 without their informedconsent (e.g., consent would be sought if theircontributions were used in a case study) and thattheir real names would not be used in any quotationor documentation. Children, in particular, wereassured that no one in their communities, especiallytheir parents or teachers, would be told about whatthey had shared.Researchers were trained not to pressure anyparticipant into revealing personal or traumaticinformation the participant was not ready toshare. Participants who did share painful personalexperiences were offered, at the end of theprocess, further opportunity to talk about theirconcerns. Those who wanted further support werereferred to the appropriate local agencies. Thosewho requested a specific action were (with theirinformed consent) introduced to the local probationofficer or the appropriate field staff member of Savethe Children in Uganda, who agreed to work withthe participant to ensure action was taken.2Save the Children Uganda has a clear ethical policy (derived from guidelines issued by Save the Children Alliance) guiding all interactions with and participation of children in anyactivity. This formed the basis of the research team’s interactions with children.3The photographs included in this report do not imply identity of any child or adult whose comments are discussed in the report. Most pictures were taken in Uganda by thephotographer, often travelling independently from the research team. Explicit consent was sought when photographing research process or activity.8Part One Research Design