Research Ethics in Childhood Studies

This chapter explores the ethical complexities of research involving children and young people. It provides an overview of the key factors that researchers need to consider when developing ethical research designs. This includes describing the common requirements for childhood scholars from institutional ethics review boards. The chapter acknowledges the importance of institutional review boards in safeguarding children. However, it critiques overly procedural and risk-averse approaches to ethics in this field. Instead, the chapter suggests an approach to ethical research in childhood studies that not only follows ethics procedures and guidelines in its design but, more importantly, is committed to ethics in practice through critical reflection.