ABSTRACT
A variety of methodological designs and tools can be used for exploring, measuring and understanding adolescent and young people’s voice and agency in relation to citizenship and political participation. This introduction provides an overview of key approaches, including quantitative, longitudinal, qualitative and participatory research. It also explores some of the conceptual, practical, methodological and ethical considerations in the design and undertaking of research in this field, especially in the context of research with younger adolescents. As pieces in this section of the book illustrate, research can be an important means for expanding agency as well as measuring it, but such research is resource-intensive, requiring a deep and nuanced understanding of local context and of adolescent and young people’s relationships.
