General considerations for research with vulnerable populations: ten lessons for success

BACKGROUND: This paper offers practical insights for researchers who conduct studies with vulnerable populations, including those using secondary data sources from government entities. METHODS/DESIGN: The paper is based on the approval process to secure secondary government data from a Midwestern county juvenile probation department and the state courts for the author’s dissertation study. DISCUSSION: This paper proposes general considerations and ten lessons learned to successfully conduct research with vulnerable populations and/or their information.