The NZIRECE Journal is a peer-reviewed academic journal that publishes research results, critiques, methodological papers and theoretical articles relating to children’s education, well-being and care in the early years (from birth and up to six or seven years of age).
Research relating to teaching and learning, pedagogical approaches, inclusion, gender, language and culture, child health, child safety, regulation of services, quality of ECE, access and affordability for families, children’s rights, early education policy, funding of services, teacher education, and parent involvement are particularly welcome.
The journal was first published in 1998, when it was known as the New Zealand Research in ECE journal. The journal made history – it was the first academic journal to be published in NZ that was exclusively on early childhood education. It paved the way for the development of an early childhood research culture.
Today, the NZIRECE Journal is on Scopus. It is also on Informit for international access.
The Office of Early Childhood Education (OECE) also publishes the journal on its website, providing over 25 years of published articles online.
Papers may take the following forms
1. An article reporting an original research study and findings
This is blind peer-reviewed by at least two reviewers. (3,000-5,000 words)
2. An article providing (a) an in-depth critical review or (b) a commentary
This is blind peer-reviewed. A critical in-depth analysis of research or theory, or a commentary in which you critically examine different sides of an issue by drawing on research evidence and theory. (3,000-5,000 words)
3. Research Note
This is not a full research paper. The purpose of the Research Note is to inform others of your work-in-progress or signal what some early findings may be. It can take the form of a description of an original research project or of a research stage within the project, or a reflective examination of some aspect of the research experience. (2,000 words maximum). Research notes are not subject to blind peer-review but may be edited.
4. Other
Book reviews and other paper types such as Research Methods or Ethics papers are considered by the Editor on an individual basis. Please check and discuss the appropriateness of your paper with the Editor before submitting.
Script Preparation
See the instructions for preparing a manuscript. Please follow the instructions closely when preparing your manuscript.
Manuscripts which exceed word limits, do not adhere to manuscript requirements, or have spelling and grammatical errors will be returned for correction prior to commencement of the review process.
Manuscripts submitted for publication elsewhere should not be submitted to the NZIRECE journal. The NZIRECE journal publishes only original work.
Submission Process
Please remove your name/s and any identifying information from your manuscript if it is being submitted for blind peer-review.
Should you be submitting a Research Note which is not blind peer-reviewed, your name and workplace affiliation should be included on the cover page.
Email your manuscript and a covering letter to NZIRECE Journal Lead Editor, Professor Wendy Boyd, Email: wendy.boyd@scu.edu.au
Please note that there is no charge for manuscript publication.
Authors are provided with a personal copy of their published article as a pdf. In submitting an article to the journal, the author(s) accepts that upon publication, copyright of the article belongs to the journal.
