El grupo focal y el uso de viñetas en la investigación con niños · Focal groups and vignettes in research with children

Abstract

Nowadays presence of children as observation subjects is a frequent practice. Specific methods are developed (or conventional ones are adapted) in attention to the cognitive or communicational profile of children. In two recent researches, some adjustments have been applied to the structure and the dynamics of the focal groups according to the peculiarities of these subjects. Also, vignettes have been introduced as a complementary methodological instrument. In this paper, a bibliographic review is combined with a contribution based on research experience from the author in the research process. Several mechanisms are proposed to balance symbolic power of adult moderator in focus groups. Also, visual vignettes are vindicated given that they may be used as complementary instrument that makes possible the participants transmit their values, projecting their perceptions on circumstances that the vignettes represent.