Ethical conduct in educational research requires that participants’ rights, welfare, and dignity be protected at all stages of inquiry. Among these ethical pillars, informed consent is a central principle, especially when research involves minors. Given their developmental, cognitive, and legal status, minors cannot be assumed to possess the full capacity to provide informed consent independently (Creswell & Creswell, 2018; Cohen, Manion & Morrison, 2018). Consequently, researchers must ensure that both parental consent and child assent are ethically and procedurally secured prior to data collection.
The Principle of Informed Consent
Informed consent, as defined by the Belmont Report (National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research, 1979), is a process through which participants are fully informed about the nature, purpose, procedures, potential risks, and benefits of the study before voluntarily agreeing to participate. In educational contexts, this principle ensures that participation is voluntary, based on an understanding of the research, and free from coercion or deception (BERA, 2018). For minors, however, this principle must be adapted to acknowledge their limited legal and cognitive capacity (Morrow & Richards, 1996).
Parental Consent and Child Assent
Since minors are legally considered incompetent to give full consent, ethical research requires a dual process: obtaining informed consent from parents or legal guardians and assent from the child (Alderson & Morrow, 2020). Parental consent ensures legal authorization, while child assent reflects respect for the child’s autonomy and developing agency (Punch, 2002). Assent involves providing age-appropriate information about the study—its purpose, what participation entails, and the child’s right to refuse or withdraw at any time (Christensen & Prout, 2002).
Ethical codes such as those of the British Educational Research Association (BERA, 2018) and the American Educational Research Association (AERA, 2011) emphasize that even when parental consent is obtained, the child’s willingness remains paramount. Coercing or manipulating participation breaches ethical integrity. Thus, assent is not a mere formality but a dialogic process recognizing the child’s voice in research participation (Alderson, 2013).
Power Relations and Voluntariness
In school-based research, the issue of consent is further complicated by inherent power dynamics among researchers, teachers, and students (Hammersley & Traianou, 2012). Children may feel compelled to participate due to authority pressure or the desire to please teachers or researchers. As Cohen, Manion, and Morrison (2018) note, voluntariness can be compromised when participants perceive that refusal might have negative academic or relational consequences. Researchers must therefore ensure that consent is not only formally documented but also genuinely voluntary. This includes separating research from routine assessment processes and assuring children that non-participation will not affect their schooling.
Cultural and Contextual Sensitivity
When research is conducted among minors from disadvantaged or culturally diverse backgrounds, consent procedures must be adapted to local realities (Fargas-Malet et al., 2010). In contexts where literacy levels are low, as in some disadvantaged regions, written consent forms may be inadequate. Researchers must use oral explanations, interpreters, or visual aids to ensure comprehension. Ethical sensitivity demands that the consent process respects cultural norms of decision-making, while maintaining international ethical standards (Creswell & Plano Clark, 2017).
Confidentiality and Continuing Consent
Consent is not a one-time administrative step but an ongoing ethical commitment (Christensen & James, 2017). Minors’ understanding and willingness may evolve during the study; thus, researchers have a duty to re-confirm consent periodically and ensure continued voluntary participation. Furthermore, maintaining confidentiality and anonymity reinforces trust and protects participants from potential harm arising from disclosure (BERA, 2018).
Conclusion
Informed consent in research with minors extends beyond legal compliance—it embodies a moral commitment to respect the autonomy, dignity, and welfare of child participants. Ethical educational research demands that consent procedures be transparent, age-appropriate, and culturally sensitive. Parental consent, child assent, and the assurance of voluntary participation constitute the cornerstone of ethically sound practice. Upholding these principles not only protects minors but also enhances the credibility, validity, and integrity of educational research.
References
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Hammersley, M., & Traianou, A. (2012). Ethics in qualitative research: Controversies and contexts. London: SAGE Publications.
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