Who is considered a vulnerable population in human research?

Vulnerable populations in human research include those individuals who may have an increased risk of coercion or undue influence when participating in studies. This is particularly true for groups such as children, prisoners, or individuals with cognitive impairments, who may not fully comprehend the implications of their participation or may feel pressure to participate due to their circumstances. Ethical guidelines in research strongly emphasize the need to protect these vulnerable groups, ensuring that their participation is truly voluntary and that they are fully informed of the risks and benefits associated with the research.

The other choices do not represent vulnerable populations. Individuals who have completed higher education or who have prior research experience are generally more equipped to understand the research context and make informed decisions about their participation. Likewise, individuals who volunteer for clinical trials are making a conscious choice to participate and, unless they fall into a category of vulnerability, are not considered to be at heightened risk of coercion. Hence, the focus is on those who require additional safeguards in research settings due to their potentially limited capacity to consent or perceived pressure to participate.