Guidelines for payment of people participating in research with disability are vague and often conflict, meaning that it is difficult for researchers to determine what is appropriate. This paper provides a review of the existing research on the topic of payment of participants considered ‘vulnerable’ in research.

This scoping review follows a systematic approach, thematically analysing the data identified and reporting results according to the PRISMA-ScR guide for scoping reviews. Fifteen papers met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review. Where studies included empirical findings, most studies were based in the US and Canada, with a small number from European, African, and Asian countries. 

The key ethical concepts identified in the papers were consent, justice and reciprocity, which were positioned in relation to coercion and concerns about undue influence from payment.

This paper offers a framework for considering the payment of participants which responds to the key areas identified in the papers. It focuses on the research environment, research situation, participant group, risks and benefits of the research, individual context, relational context and research practices. This framework is provided as a resource for researchers considering the payment of people with disability in research and those identified as vulnerable in research more broadly