Journals / Uluslararası Spor Egzersiz ve Antrenman Bilimi Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 12 Sayı: 1

Research Trends and Thematic Evolution in Child Safeguarding in Sport: A Bibliometric Analysis

Sporda Çocukların Korunmasına İlişkin Araştırma Eğilimleri ve Tematik Evrim: Bibliyometrik Bir Analiz

Seda Nur Turhal(AVRASYA ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0003-1910-5702
Pages
185–198
Publication Date
2026-10-28
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Future research should further investigate comparatively less developed and emerging areas, particularly children’s rights, emotional abuse, policy implementation, reporting mechanisms, and the integration of children’s perspectives into safeguarding practice.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:Aim: This study aimed to map research trends and thematic evolution in child safeguarding in sport and to identify the major topics, emerging areas, and international collaboration patterns shaping the field.
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Key Findings & Data:Method: A systematic search of the Web of Science Core Collection identified 200 eligible publications.
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Conclusion & Impact:Future research should further investigate comparatively less developed and emerging areas, particularly children’s rights, emotional abuse, policy implementation, reporting mechanisms, and the integration of children’s perspectives into safeguarding practice.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Bibliyometrik Analiz · Çocuk Güvenliği · Çocuk Hakları

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to map research trends and thematic evolution in child safeguarding in sport and to identify the major topics, emerging areas, and international collaboration patterns shaping the field. Method: A systematic search of the Web of Science Core Collection identified 200 eligible publications. The retrieved records were analyzed using bibliometric methods in R with the bibliometrix package to examine publication trends, international collaboration, thematic structure, and thematic evolution. Results: Publication activity increased markedly from the mid-2010s, accompanied by strong international collaboration among several European countries, Canada, Australia, and the United States. Thematic mapping identified safe sport, safeguarding, sexual abuse, violence, prevention, and children’s rights as major areas of the field. Thematic evolution further showed a shift from earlier emphases on child protection, maltreatment, and sexual abuse toward broader concerns involving interpersonal violence, emotional abuse, and safeguarding. Conclusion: Child safeguarding in sport has developed into an increasingly diverse and internationally connected research field. Future research should further investigate comparatively less developed and emerging areas, particularly children’s rights, emotional abuse, policy implementation, reporting mechanisms, and the integration of children’s perspectives into safeguarding practice.

Özet

Amaç: Bu çalışmanın amacı, sporda çocukların korunmasına ilişkin araştırma eğilimlerini ve tematik evrimi haritalandırmak; alanın gelişimini şekillendiren temel araştırma temalarını, gelişmekte olan araştırma alanlarını ve uluslararası iş birliği örüntülerini belirlemektir. Yöntem: Web of Science Core Collection veri tabanında gerçekleştirilen sistematik tarama sonucunda uygunluk kriterlerini karşılayan 200 yayın belirlenmiştir. Elde edilen kayıtlar; yayın eğilimlerini, uluslararası iş birliğini, tematik yapıyı ve tematik evrimi incelemek amacıyla R ortamında bibliometrix paketi kullanılarak bibliyometrik yöntemlerle analiz edilmiştir. Bulgular: Yayın etkinliği, çeşitli Avrupa ülkeleri, Kanada, Avustralya ve Amerika Birleşik Devletleri arasındaki güçlü uluslararası iş birliğiyle birlikte 2010’lu yılların ortalarından itibaren belirgin biçimde artmıştır. Tematik haritalama; güvenli spor, çocuk güvenliği, cinsel istismar, şiddet, önleme ve çocuk haklarını alanın başlıca çalışma alanları olarak belirlemiştir. Tematik evrim ise önceki dönemlerdeki çocuk koruma, kötü muamele ve cinsel istismar vurgusundan; kişilerarası şiddet, duygusal istismar ve çocuk güvenliğini kapsayan daha geniş konulara doğru bir yönelim olduğunu göstermiştir. Sonuç: Sporda çocuk güvenliği, giderek çeşitlenen ve uluslararası düzeyde bağlantılı bir araştırma alanı haline gelmiştir. Gelecekteki araştırmalar; özellikle çocuk hakları, duygusal istismar, politika uygulamaları, bildirim mekanizmaları ve çocukların bakış açılarının çocuk güvenliği uygulamalarına dahil edilmesi gibi nispeten daha az gelişmiş ve yeni öne çıkan alanları daha kapsamlı biçimde incelemelidir.

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Cite This Article

Turhal, S. N. (2026). Research Trends and Thematic Evolution in Child Safeguarding in Sport: A Bibliometric Analysis. Uluslararası Spor Egzersiz ve Antrenman Bilimi Dergisi, Cilt: 12 Sayı: 1, 185–198. https://doi.org/10.18826/useeabd.2041421

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