What does "fair subject selection" entail in research ethics?

"Fair subject selection" in research ethics is fundamentally about ensuring that participants are chosen in a manner that aligns not only with the objectives of the research but also with ethical considerations, particularly concerning justice and equity. This means selecting participants based on relevant research objectives while safeguarding against exploitation or unfair treatment of vulnerable populations.

By emphasizing that participants should not be exploited, the correct answer highlights a crucial tenet of ethical research practices: the need to respect the rights and welfare of individuals involved in the study. In this context, fairness is not merely about equal representation or convenience; it's about actively considering the implications of participant selection on the individuals and communities involved.

Other choices suggest practices that do not align with these ethical principles. For instance, selecting participants solely based on availability overlooks the ethical obligation to consider the appropriateness and context of participant involvement. Choosing participants to maximize research findings can lead to biased results and does not account for equity in selection. Lastly, recruiting to fulfill diversity quotas, while perhaps well-intentioned, can also result in tokenism and fails to address the core ethical concerns of informed consent and equitable treatment in the research process.