Table 2 Tasks and hypothetical cases for groups

‘It is often said that research should try to balance benefits and costs/risks to participants such that they are not made worse off by participation, including that they do not spend their own money, use their own time or experience inconvenience that they would not otherwise have. Do you agree with this? Why or why not? If you agree, how much cost or inconvenience requires some kind of compensation? For each of the four research situations below, discuss the following issues:

1: In depth interviews about health beliefs taking at least 2 hours

2: Interview taking 30–45 mins with mother and finger prick blood sample from a well infant on one occasion only

3: Vaccine study. In addition to screening and vaccination visits, intervention and control groups are asked to attend for follow up visits 6 times over 2 months following vaccination then 6 monthly for 2 years. Free medical care for acute intercurrent illnesses is provided for study children 2 years.

4: Clinical trial. A study on KEMRI ward of a particular type of treatment for severely ill children. After discharge, the child should be brought back for follow up once to KEMRI OPD where a single small venous blood sample will be taken and any health issues the child has will be addressed.

-Is any compensation due? Why or why not? What would make a difference to your views on whether compensation is due?

-If yes, broadly what type of compensation should this be?

5: Field study with well children. A study where a group 200 children under 5 years in the same area will be followed up for 5 years to assess development of immunity to malaria. Children are visited weekly to check for fevers, medical care is provided free at the nearest health dispensary for all acute intercurrent illnesses for study children and once a year a venous sample is taken. If children become unwell during the study and cannot be managed at the dispensary, they will be asked to travel to KDH for further treatment.