Abstract
Conceptualising 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.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 109-126 |
| Number of pages | 18 |
| Journal | Journal of International Development |
| Volume | 33 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Early online date | 2 Sept 2020 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 21 Jan 2021 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- research ethics
- beneficence
- community participation
- capabilities approach
