diff --git a/Source/MemoryWatch/MemWatchTreeNode.cpp b/Source/MemoryWatch/MemWatchTreeNode.cpp
index 8b3e9b0..0f6623b 100644
--- a/Source/MemoryWatch/MemWatchTreeNode.cpp
+++ b/Source/MemoryWatch/MemWatchTreeNode.cpp
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ void MemWatchTreeNode::setValueEditing(const bool valueEditing)
   m_isValueEditing = valueEditing;
 }
 
-QString MemWatchTreeNode::getGroupName() const
+const QString& MemWatchTreeNode::getGroupName() const
 {
   return m_groupName;
 }
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ void MemWatchTreeNode::setEntry(MemWatchEntry* entry)
   m_entry = entry;
 }
 
-QVector<MemWatchTreeNode*> MemWatchTreeNode::getChildren() const
+const QVector<MemWatchTreeNode*>& MemWatchTreeNode::getChildren() const
 {
   return m_children;
 }
diff --git a/Source/MemoryWatch/MemWatchTreeNode.h b/Source/MemoryWatch/MemWatchTreeNode.h
index fd3aaa4..47173c9 100644
--- a/Source/MemoryWatch/MemWatchTreeNode.h
+++ b/Source/MemoryWatch/MemWatchTreeNode.h
@@ -21,11 +21,11 @@ class MemWatchTreeNode
   bool isGroup() const;
   bool isExpanded() const { return m_expanded; }
   void setExpanded(const bool expanded) { m_expanded = expanded; };
-  QString getGroupName() const;
+  const QString& getGroupName() const;
   void setGroupName(const QString& groupName);
   MemWatchEntry* getEntry() const;
   void setEntry(MemWatchEntry* entry);
-  QVector<MemWatchTreeNode*> getChildren() const;
+  const QVector<MemWatchTreeNode*>& getChildren() const;
   void setChildren(QVector<MemWatchTreeNode*> children);
   MemWatchTreeNode* getParent() const;
   void setParent(MemWatchTreeNode* parent);