Who are they? Redefining demarcation of research participant characteristics and related conceptualizations

Abstract

In any research that involves people, whether as respondents or participants, demarcation of their characteristics is crucial for necessary context. These can include their roles (e.g., patient, caregiver), relationships (e.g., partner), and demographics such as age range, [dis]ability, ethnicity, gender, language, race, socio-economic group or geographic region. Yet, despite this need for precision, terminology used for demarcation is often treated as intuitive(“y’know”). For example, age demarcations seem to be obvious but are often laden with vagueness, lack of standardization, and/or acknowledgement of differences in age ranges. Some demarcations might also be influenced by country norms or by disciplinary interpretations (e.g., legal vs medical). Considering the emphasis on respect for diversity and the need for rigor in research it seems timely to open a discussion of the many questions to be answered when demarcating characteristics of research participants. Using examples, this panel will explore some applications and definitions of demarcations.