The finalized semi-structured interview instrument
Designing an explorative interview instrument for children
From theories to pre-testing and validation of the semi-structured interview instrument.
Developing a semi-structured interview instrument to explore
preschool children’s understanding of economic issues related to sustainable development
Farhana Borg, Dalarna University and Umeå University, Sweden. E-mail: fbr@du.se
References:
Bandura, A. (1977). Social learning theory. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, Inc. 16-55.
Bruner, J. S. (1966). Towards a theory of instruction. Cambridge, Massachusetts, London, England: Harvard University Press. 1-21. Elliott, J. A. (2013). An introduction to sustainable development. 4th Edition. NY: Routledge.
Webley, P. (2005). Children’s understanding of economics. In M. Barrett and E. Buchanan-Barrow (Eds.). Children’s understanding of
society. Hove and New York, NY: Psychology Press. 140-164.
WECD (1987). Our common future: The World Commission on Environment and Development. UK: Oxford University Press. 1-66.
Operationalizing the economic aspect of sustainable development
Defined as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs, sustainable development is commonly modeled within
the three-interlocking-circle framework (Elliott 2013), which portrays equal importance and inter-dependency of its environmental, social and economic dimensions (WECD 1987).
Economy for young children is not only cash money. Candy and toys are
considered to be a kind of possessions that children deal with in their daily lives at home, at preschool and in the
playground (Webley 2005).
1. Development of illustrations.
2. Creation of play-based activities using toys and soft animals.
3. Drafting of semi-structured interview questions.
Bruner’s Modes of Representation
Children aged one till six construct their knowledge by organizing and categorizing information through iconic
representation, in which information is stored in the form of images (Bruner 1966).
Pre-testing and validation of illustrations, question design, question wording, interview
techniques and timing. Bandura’s Social Learning Theory
Children are surrounded by many influential role models (for example, parents, teachers, siblings, friends, TV
characters) and their learning occurs through being taught
by others, through direct observation, through participation in activities, etc. (Bandura 1977).
Financial affordability
Can all children in the world afford to buy toys from a shop?
Yes Maybe No I don’t know Others: ___________ Why do you think that other children [child’s response] afford to buy toys from a shop?
From where have you got to know [child’s response]?
Environ-mental Economic
Social
Sustainable
Resource sharing
If you had a bowl of candies and your friend came and wanted to have some candies from you, what would you do?
I would give all the candies.
I would give about half of the candies. I would give a few/very few candies. I would not give any candies.
Why would you [child’s response]?
RVS Annual PhD Seminar, Norwegian School of Theology. The National Interdisciplinary Research School: Religion Values Society, 7-8 November 2016, Oslo, Norway.
Poster sponsored by RVS, Norwegian school of Theology.
Special thanks to Prof. Dr. Monika Vinterek and Dr. Johan Borg. Illustrations: Pauline Borg
