ORCID
- Hannah Gardiner: 0000-0002-2246-8320
- Clare Pettinger: 0000-0001-7182-9463
- Louise Hunt: 0000-0002-3895-1202
- Mary Hickson: 0000-0001-7996-0095
Abstract
Delivering ethical collaborative research is challenging, requiring disruption of assumptions, academic norms, and ways of working–including long-standing power dynamics. This article proposes a framework to support critical reflection on participatory practice; an adaptation of the wheel of consent. The adapted ‘ILBR’ framework explores the balance of who Initiates (makes requests/offers), does Labour (the action), gets Benefits, and takes on Risks (ILBR) in the conduct of research. This aims to support reflexive design and delivery of ethical participation, including a shift towards consent becoming an ongoing multi-way negotiation of agreements. Particularly it aims to support ‘interpersonal reflexivity’, and navigation of the ‘micro-ethics’ present during everyday-level interactions. The framework was tested for individual reflection and as an educational role-play exercise. Explorations indicate managing power and positionality need consideration, and future research should explore how to make space for more requests.
DOI Link
Publication Date
2025-07-29
Publication Title
International Journal of Social Research Methodology
Acceptance Date
2025-07-14
Deposit Date
2025-07-15
Funding
We are grateful to Betty Martin and Rupert Alison for supporting concept development, Rebecca Sarah Ciarla, Yve Ashton and others who supported workshops, and to all those who engaged to offer feedback and suggestions. This research was delivered as part of a PhD funded internally by the University of Plymouth (UK).
Keywords
Participation, co-production, collaboration, engagement, ethics
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Gardiner, H., Pettinger, C., Hunt, L., & Hickson, M. (2025) 'But who is it for? Introducing a framework for critical reflection on design and delivery of ethical participatory research', International Journal of Social Research Methodology, . Available at: 10.1080/13645579.2025.2537405
