A research participant, also called a human subject or an experiment, trial, or study participant or subject, is a person who voluntarily participates in human subject research after giving informed consent to be the subject of the research. A research participant is different from individuals who are not able to give informed consent, such as children, infants, and animals. Such individuals are preferentially referred to as subjects.[1]
In accordance with modern norms of research ethics and with the Declaration of Helsinki, researchers who conduct human subject research should afford certain rights to research participants.[2] Research participants should expect the following:
There are several standard themes in the choice of words (participant, subject, patient, control, respondent):
Social scientists have emphasized that word choice influences the way that researchers think of study participants and the respect that they have for them.[7]
Payment for research participants is a controversial topic where experts have varying views.[8]
In 1998 The BMJ adopted the policy of calling people "participants" rather than "subjects".[9] The intent for this practice was to show more respect for people.[9] Prior to this various other research organizations had considered making this switch.[10]