Guide to ethical research and design practice when working with vulnerable participants and on sensitive topics

The purpose of this paper is to establish a set of guidelines for student designers and design researchers when working with vulnerable participants or/and on sensitive topics. This paper explores several case studies of design research projects where vulnerable participants have been involved at various stages and to varying degrees. The case study analyses key questions such as when is it/ not appropriate to involve participants? What are the most useful methods to work with participants? When are alternative methods of research and testing sufficient? How can expectations be managed? And what is the payback for people to participate? The paper concludes by collating the key lessons into a ‘living’ guide to which design practitioners, design educators and researchers can refer.