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In:Child-centered Approaches to Applied Linguistic Research
Edited by Yuko Goto Butler and Annamaria Pinter
[Research Methods in Applied Linguistics 13] 2025
► pp. 96–113

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Chapter 6
Ethical research practices with young language learners

Chinese perspectives

 | University of New South Wales
 | Central University of Finance and Economics, China
Published online: 5 September 2025
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/rmal.13.06gao
Abstract
Child-centred research enables young language learners to articulate their voices as rooted in their lives and experiences rather than in adults’ interests and priorities. Yet, addressing critical issues such as informed consent and legal compliance presents unique challenges for researchers working with children. In this chapter, we argue for the incorporation of Chinese cultural perspectives in researchers’ engagement with ethical issues when conducting child-centred research in a Chinese context. Chinese scholars have been encouraged to act with benevolence (仁), righteousness (义), respect/ritual propriety (礼), wisdom (智) and trustworthiness (信) in their work, according to Confucian principles. In this chapter, we engage with studies involving young language learners in China as research participants to identify ethical challenges that researchers might have to respond to. We also discuss how researchers can translate these Confucian principles into ethical research practices that follow established ethical principles, including reciprocity and advocacy for the participatory role of individuals in the research process. We conclude the chapter with a call for a context-sensitive and reflexive approach to ethical practices in child-centred research.
Article outline
  • Introduction
  • Ethical research on young language learners as a cultural practice in China
  • Confucian values and ethical principles for research on and with
    young language learners
    • Ren (仁), benevolence
    • Yi (义), justice/righteousness
    • Li (礼), respect/ritual propriety
    • Zhi (智), wisdom
    • Xin (信), Trust
  • Conclusion
  • References
References (58)
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