Data in qualitative research are mainly derived through observations, document analysis, and
interviews. The interview process in qualitative studies, however, can become challenging and
complex when a group of children is involved as participants. This paper examines the
methodological challenges faced by researchers when interviewing children and makes a case for the
use of scenario-based interviews to obtain quality data from children in phenomenographic research.
The discussion is based on a phenomenographic study that aimed at exploring and understanding
children’s experiences of learning in government primary schools in Brunei Darussalam. The
processes that led to the development of two scenarios in a series of phenomenographic interviews are
discussed in this paper. While there are limitations in the use of scenario-based interviews with
children in phenomenographic research, it has the potential to address methodological concerns and,
more importantly, to elicit quality data. Finally, the scenario-based interview offers an alternative to
the in-depth interviews typically used in phenomenographic research.