Engaging children, young people, parents and health professionals in interviews: using an interactive ranking exercise within the co-design of multimedia websites

When planning paediatric trials, it is important to consider how best to communicate with children and young people (CYP) so they understand what they are taking part in. It is also important to consider what information they need. Involving CYP as research participants leads to research that is more relevant although it can be difficult to engage CYP in qualitative research to improve trial materials due to the topic area. This paper describes how a visual ranking exercise within qualitative interviews acted as a helpful conduit to engaging discussions to inform a co-designed website with information for trial participants. 40 people participated in interviews during which the ranking exercise was used (11 CYP aged 9–18 years, 14 parents, 15 professionals). We found the ranking exercise supported participant engagement and prevented them feeling that particular responses were expected. It also enabled participants to discuss their ranking (and decisions behind this) with other participants and the researcher. Co-design interviews with CYP that use interactive exercises such as ranking are likely to elicit richer data than those relying on traditional questioning techniques.