The concept of ‘vulnerability’ in research ethics: an in-depth analysis of policies and guidelines

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• 作者：Dearbhail Bracken-Roche ; Emily Bell…
• 关键词：Research ethics ; Vulnerable populations ; Vulnerability ; Research policy ; Ethics policy ; Research oversight
• 刊名：Health Research Policy and Systems
• 出版年：2017
• 出版时间：December 2017
• 年：2017
• 卷：15
• 期：1
• 全文大小：527KB
• 刊物主题：Health Administration; R & D/Technology Policy; Medicine/Public Health, general;
• 出版者：BioMed Central
• ISSN：1478-4505
• 卷排序：15

文摘

BackgroundThe concept of vulnerability has held a central place in research ethics guidance since its introduction in the United States Belmont Report in 1979. It signals mindfulness for researchers and research ethics boards to the possibility that some participants may be at higher risk of harm or wrong. Despite its important intended purpose and widespread use, there is considerable disagreement in the scholarly literature about the meaning and delineation of vulnerability, stemming from a perceived lack of guidance within research ethics standards. The aim of this study was to assess the concept of vulnerability as it is employed in major national and international research ethics policies and guidelines.