ABSTRACT
The research has led the team to explore new ways of reaching into children’s thoughts, by-passing some of the glib responses which may have been given to researchers in the past. Interviews were gradually focused, both in content and in method, as a result of regular debate among the research team. Parents, particularly, buying violent games for their children’s computers or letting them see over-age videos, may subscribe to the general consensus of disapproval for the activities in a public forum—which an interview can represent. The researchers worked with a number of small groups of children, both at school and at home, so that the total number of children interviewed and observed was closer to 150. Children touching video recorders or games machines were able to talk in a much more focused way. When they were in their bedrooms, the researcher could point to details of the room, collections of magazines or pre-recorded and recorded tapes.
