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Do no harm? Field research in the Global South: Ethical challenges faced by research staff

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  • Kaplan, Lennart
  • Kuhnt, Jana
  • Steinert, Janina I.

Abstract

The rise of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to rigorously evaluate development policy is characterized by a wide range of ethical complexities. While the literature has identified ethical challenges pertaining to study participants, we argue that the principle of “do no harm” should equally apply to research staff. Based on an ongoing systematic review and interviews with research staff at different hierarchical levels and world regions, we identify key ethical challenges of field research in the Global South, including threats to physical and emotional wellbeing. Moreover, prevailing power imbalances can create precarious working conditions and inadequate acknowledgement of contributions. An open discussion and learning from “best practices” is needed to address these gaps in development research.

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  • Kaplan, Lennart & Kuhnt, Jana & Steinert, Janina I., 2020. "Do no harm? Field research in the Global South: Ethical challenges faced by research staff," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 127(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:wdevel:v:127:y:2020:i:c:s0305750x19304590
    DOI: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2019.104810
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Howard White, 2019. "The twenty-first century experimenting society: the four waves of the evidence revolution," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 5(1), pages 1-7, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Herman, Biz & Panin, Amma & Owlsley, Nicholas & , e.a., 2021. "Field Experiments in the Global South: Assessing Risks, Localizing Benefits, and Addressing Positionality," LIDAM Discussion Papers CORE 2021025, Université catholique de Louvain, Center for Operations Research and Econometrics (CORE).
    2. Julia Fischer-Mackey, 2024. "What Do Practitioners Want from Research? Exploring Ugandan and American Development Practitioners’ Interest in Research," Progress in Development Studies, , vol. 24(1), pages 27-47, January.
    3. Svenja Flechtner, 2021. "Dimensions of Poverty. Measurement, Epistemic Injustices and Social Activism," Review of Income and Wealth, International Association for Research in Income and Wealth, vol. 67(2), pages 530-544, June.
    4. Grosch, Kerstin & Haeckl, Simone & Rau, Holger & Preuss, Paul, 2023. "A Guide to Conducting School Experiments: Expert Insights and Best Practices for Effective Implementation," UiS Working Papers in Economics and Finance 2023/2, University of Stavanger.

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