The state of journals on children and childhood studies: Insights and challenges from a citation analysis

Abstract

This article investigates journal influence of childhood studies journals in 2011–2019. Using CiteScore metrics, results show that childhood studies journals have gained influence over the past decade, suggesting that research in childhood has become more visible. However, certain journals flourish disproportionately within the network of childhood research. Overall, the findings demonstrate the rapid maturation of childhood studies as a discipline and the increasing relevance of journals in the process. Overall, the results serve as signposts for the direction of childhood studies and reminders to childhood scholars of their responsibility to maintain the integrity in childhood studies.