09 - Community Research, Ethics, and Protocols p.1

Q: What is a core idea about ethics in community development?

Ethics go beyond formal review boards and must be integrated into the community development process itself, shaping agenda-setting, risk sharing, and decision-making.

Q: What moral concern accompanies ethics in community development?

The principle of "do no harm," which applies to development work and raises questions about accountability mechanisms for development organizations.

Q: What example illustrates unethical conditions tied to development funding?

A UN proposal offering Ghana $100M for health while requiring unlimited access to health records, restricting Ghana from vetting supplied drugs, and controlling drug procurement.

Q: How is ethics defined in the lecture?

Ethics relate to character and principles of right and wrong conduct, forming standards that govern individuals, institutions, and societies.

Q: How are morals defined in the lecture?

Morals are customs determined by groups or authorities, offering general guidelines like honesty or loyalty, and varying across cultures.

Q: What key distinction is made between ethics and morals?

Morality is personal and normative, while ethics are socially distinguished standards of good and bad.

Q: What is the teleological perspective in ethics?

A consequence-focused approach seeking the greatest good for the greatest number, often associated with utilitarianism.

Q: What ethical issue arises from teleological thinking?

It can unfairly disadvantage minority or marginalized groups.

Q: What is the deontological perspective in ethics?

A duty-based approach emphasizing individual rights and rules that all rational beings would accept regardless of their role.

Q: Why is deontology important in development ethics?

It underpins concepts like fundamental human rights and global ethical standards.

Q: What questions does community development ethics address?

What constitutes well-being, equitable distribution of benefits, and legitimate rights and responsibilities of practitioners.

Q: What are examples of ethical concerns in community development organizations?

Transparency, profit motives, discrimination, and problematic government affiliations.

Q: What major philosophical areas inform community development ethics?

Moral philosophy, social philosophy, political philosophy, and normative international relations.

Q: Why must CD practitioners consider ethics?

To confront issues like poverty, exclusion, inequality, and discrimination through an ethical lens and ensure social justice.

Q: What broad values guide ethical community development practice?

Respect for people as ends, human rights, non-discrimination, cultural sensitivity, and doing no harm.

Q: What professional values are emphasized in CD ethics?

Honesty, loyalty, fairness, courage, caring, tolerance, respect, duty, and lifelong learning.

Q: What is the core purpose of community development?

To raise living standards and improve quality of life for all citizens.

Q: What does inclusive community development involve?

Building leadership and teams across class, gender, racial, cultural, and religious lines.

Q: What is a key principle of ethical community development decision-making?

Seeking solutions based on shared values rather than political convenience or benefits for a select few.

Q: What is expected of CD professionals regarding illegal or unethical activities?

They must disengage immediately and report illegal actions when required.

Q: What ethical standard relates to transparency in professional work?

Clearly detailing knowledge, experience, scope of work, outcomes, and fees before engaging in consulting.

Q: What conflict-of-interest rule is emphasized?

Avoiding dual relationships that could result in personal benefit at the expense of the community.

Q: What confidentiality obligations do CD practitioners have?

Keeping confidences, revealing information only with proper authority, and securing confidential records.

Q: How should practitioners handle ethical dilemmas?

By discussing them with certified colleagues or the Community Development Council when personal resolution is not possible.

Q: What is an ethical mindset in CD practice?

Deliberately incorporating capacity building, transparency, and purposeful ethical reflection into all stages of a project.