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

Kaplan, Lennart / Jana Kuhnt / Janina I. Steinert
External Publications (2020)

in: World Development 127 (March) (online first)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2019.104810
Information

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.

About the authors

Kuhnt, Jana

Development Economist

Kuhnt

Kaplan, Lennart

Economist

Kaplan

Further experts

Christ, Simone

Social Anthropology 

Dang, Vy

Political Science 

Dippel, Beatrice

Comparatist 

Flaig, Merlin

Social Science 

Hernandez, Ariel

Economy 

Hornidge, Anna-Katharina

Development and Knowledge Sociology 

Klingebiel, Stephan

Political Science 

Reiners, Wulf

Political Science 

Röthel, Tim

Economy 

Schwachula, Anna

Sociology 

Stamm, Andreas

Geographer 

Strupat, Christoph

Economist 

Vogel, Johanna

International Cultural Economy