Vulnerable population research

Research involving participants who may have diminished capacity to provide fully informed consent or who are at elevated risk of harm, including older adults with cognitive decline, people with dementia, children with disabilities, and individuals with intellectual disabilities. Conducting research with vulnerable populations requires adapted methodologies — simplified consent processes, proxy consent from caregivers, non-reading-dependent materials, avoidance of complex rating scales, and prioritizing participant wellbeing over data collection. Ethical frameworks emphasize the right of vulnerable individuals to participate in research that may benefit them, balanced against protections from exploitation.