Knowledge of and Approach Toward Ethics in Research Involving Children

J Empir Res Hum Res Ethics. 2026 Apr;21(1-2):25-38. doi: 10.1177/15562646251392396. Epub 2025 Dec 1.

Abstract

This study explored the knowledge and approaches of researchers in studies involving children. The qualitative analysis carried out in line with the suggestions of the Ethical Research Involving Children guidance revealed that the participating researchers, who completed their graduate-level research involving children, addressed some fundamental ethical considerations. These included obtaining institutional review board approval, securing informed consent from the caregivers, and ensuring the confidentiality of the collected data. However, they overlooked certain specific requirements, such as getting consent from the child, monitoring for signs of dissent, ensuring privacy by removing caregiver interventions during data collection, and creating an incentive strategy. The results also highlighted the necessity of the institutional review board's role in the effective guidance of researchers by considering the specific requirements of their research involving children.

Keywords: ethical research involving children; institutional review board; qualitative study; research ethics; research involving children.

MeSH terms

  • Caregivers
  • Child
  • Confidentiality
  • Data Collection
  • Ethics Committees, Research*
  • Ethics, Research*
  • Human Experimentation* / ethics
  • Humans
  • Informed Consent* / ethics
  • Privacy
  • Qualitative Research
  • Research Personnel*