Reporting of ethics in early childhood journals: A meta-analysis of 10 journals from 2009 to 2012

This paper presents a comprehensive review of reporting practices of research ethics in 10 scholarly international early childhood education journals. Peer-reviewed primary research articles published between 2009 and 2012 (inclusive) were reviewed for reported parent consent, child consent and institutional ethics approval. Of the 506 articles identified as relevant, 49 per cent reported parent consent (with a range across journals from 23-66 per cent), 19 per cent reported child consent (9-40 per cent) and 16 per cent reported institutional ethics approval (6-23 per cent). Only 24 per cent of articles specified the type of parent consent, while only 11 per cent of articles specified the type of child consent. These results highlight considerable under-reporting of ethical procedures in early childhood education research journals, and in those who do report there is a lack of detail. The potential benefits of increased reporting of ethics are discussed in relation to the Rights of the Child movement and journal editorial and author guidelines.