Translating the Principle of Beneficence into Ethical Participatory Development Research Practice

In: Journal of international development: the journal of the Development Studies Association, Band 33, Heft 1, S. 109-126

Abstract

AbstractConceptualising and operationalising ethical principles like beneficence (maximise benefits, minimise risks) is complex. We contribute to understanding beneficence by critically analysing data documenting participatory international development research processes in Eswatini and India, informed by capabilities theory. Our results problematise (i) conceptualising beneficence solely in relation to either local or academic norms and (ii) offsetting economic, social and cognitive, or individual, group and societal benefits and/or harms, as either practice risks perpetuating unjust economic and/or epistemological hierarchies. Our results suggest that beneficence will be optimally achieved if it is conceptualised and operationalised considering diverse stakeholder perspectives and social justice theory. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.