A Framework for Ethical Payment to Research Participants

Abstract

This article addresses the ethical concerns associated with offering monetary compensation to research participants and particularly explores the ways in which such payments may unduly influence those recruited as subjects for study. Ethical problems arise when the prospect of compensation invalidates informed consent, incentivizes potential participants to misrepresent their qualifications for a study, and when financial pressure to participate disproportionately affects individuals of lower socioeconomic status. The potential for undue influence specifically arises when participant compensation is “excessive.” Nonetheless, there are ethically permissible rationales for providing compensation: namely, reimbursing participants for their out-of-pocket expenses, compensating participants for time and associated burdens, and incentivizing participation. This paper proposes a practical framework for itemizing and evaluating these justifications for monetary compensation so as to limit the risk of unduly influencing potential research participants.