The research tips, which are available on the internet, were compiled by Dr Michael Gallagher, research assistant at Centre for Research on Families and Relationships.
Dr Gallagher produced the document as part of the university's Listening to Children course, a ten-week training course for those who work with children and young people and want to improve their research and consultation skills.
The tips come from people in a range of sectors, such as universities, government departments and children's charities. The list is divided into sections including designing research, organising focus groups, interviewing children and gaining consent.
There is also a section of general tips for practitioners, such as 'be patient and persistent', 'make eye contact', 'use games to set an informal tone' and 'be aware of your own preconceptions of childhood'.
Dr Gallagher said, 'When I compiled the list I contacted more than 150 people because I wanted to produce a diverse and collaborative document.
There is such a diversity of perspectives. Some of my favourite tips came from playworkers who have consulted with children over playground design.
'The tips are quite broad, so they can be applied to different ages and groups of children. Not all the tips will apply in every situation, but they are all things people who have done research with children have found useful.'
Dr Gallagher said he welcomes new contributions. 'I like the idea that when people read the document they may think of other tips themselves. I am looking to add to the list and I welcome suggestions from new people.'
The tips can be downloaded from www.crfr.ac.uk/cpd/listeningtochildren by clicking on 'learning materials'. New research tips can be e-mailed to michael.gallagher@ed.ac.uk.
The next Listening to Children course will run on 13 October and is now taking bookings.