What is the definition of "risk" in the context of human subjects research?

In the context of human subjects research, "risk" is defined as the likelihood of participants experiencing physical, psychological, or social harm. This encompasses a range of potential negative outcomes that research participants may face as a result of their involvement in a study. Risks can come from various sources, including direct interventions, the study's design, the procedures involved, and the impact of sharing personal information.

Understanding risk is crucial for researchers and ethics review boards, as it helps to ensure that the benefits of the research outweigh the potential harms to participants. This assessment of risk is central to ethical research practices and is critical for obtaining informed consent, where participants must be made aware of potential risks before agreeing to take part in the study.

The other options do not pertain to the definition of "risk" in human subjects research. Environmental impact, financial cost, and the number of participants do not directly relate to the harm that participants may experience, which is the core focus of risk in this context.