What factor can contribute to the vulnerability of participants in workplace studies?

The vulnerability of participants in workplace studies can significantly be affected by researcher access to confidential records. When researchers have access to sensitive information, such as employee performance reviews, personal health data, or disciplinary actions, this can lead to an erosion of trust and may create anxiety among participants regarding the confidentiality of their responses. Participants may feel exposed and worry that their data could be misused, or that their anonymity is not fully protected. This increased anxiety can influence their willingness to participate or affect their responses during the study, thereby compromising the integrity of the data collected.

In contrast, while the other factors can impact a study's overall effectiveness or the outcome, they do not intrinsically heighten participant vulnerability to the same extent as exposure of private information does. For instance, limited study duration might not provide a comprehensive understanding of employee experiences, but it does not directly compromise participant safety or confidentiality. Similarly, regular employee training is intended to empower and educate employees, which would usually not lead to increased vulnerability. Recruitment methods can influence the demographics of the study, but they are largely about participant selection rather than their vulnerability.